SHACKLES    CAST 

Including  the  Masterful  Military  Career  of 
Theodore  Roosevelt  and  His  Merci- 
ful Acts  as  President 


ALVAN  ELMAR  CLARENDON 


HOME  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 
OMAHA,  NEBRASKA 


COPYRIGHTED 

August,  1912 


Including  the  Masterful  Military  Career  of 
Theodore  Roosevelt  and  His  Merci- 
ful Acts  as  President. 


ALVAN  ELMAR  CLARENDON 


CHAPTER  I. 

A  BEAUTIFUL  GIRL  IS  FOUND. 

Chester  Fenton  was  sweeping  past  the  depot 
structure  of  the  city  of  Nempton.  A  lad  of  good  ap- 
pearance, although  his  face  was  somewhat  black- 
ened, for  he  had  ridden  day  and  night  in  a  railway 
car  heaped  with  coal. 

"I  don't  remember  a  city  of  that  name — but  it's 
tiptop,  sure!" 

The  drifting  smoke  of  the  engine  had  also  in- 
creased the  darkening  of  his  face.  As  he  walked  up 
'the  street  many  persons  looked  upon  his  obscured 
countenance. 

"Say!'  yelled  a  street  Arab  to  another,  "here's 
one  of  dem  kids  dat  'longs  to  de  minstrel  show!" 

3 

11 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"Chase  yerself!  He  can't  minstrel.  He's  been 
a  cleanin'  out  somebody's  chimbley." 

Shivering  from  the  effects  of  his  long  exposure, 
Chester  hurried  along.  Passing  a  grocery  store,  he 
hesitated  a  moment;  then  spoke  to  a  man  who  was 
arranging  vegetables  on  an  outside  table : 

"Please  can  you  tell  me  where  I  can  get  some 
work?" 

The  clerk,  a  man  of  heart,  observed  the  boy  from 
head  to  foot.  He  saw  that  he  was  well-built,  having 
a  pleasant  face,  heavy  chestnut  locks  adorning  his 
head.  Slowly  he  replied: 

"No— but  you  don't  look  right— you  are  too  dirty 
to  apply  for  work. ' ' 

*  *  I  can 't  help  it.    I  have  come  a  long  way. ' ' 

"A  long  way?    Don't  you  live  here?" 

"Come  here  to  get  work  that  I  may  live." 

"Have  you  run  away  from  home?" 

'  *  Home ! ' '  sighed  the  lad.    *  *  I  haven 't  a  home. ' ' 

"No!    How  does  that  happen?" 

"Suppose  God  didn't  think  I  was  worth  it — but 
I'm  awful  hungry." 

While  they  were  speaking,  the  band  of  a  minstrel 
troupe  was  coming  up  the  street.  The  darky  in  the 
lead  nourished  a  drum-major's  staff,  capped  with 
a  gilded  tambourine.  As  he  swung  and  tossed  it,  he 
chimed  its  bells  and  beat  with  hands,  elbows  and  toes 
its  drum-covered  head,  thus  marking  time.  Now 
and  then  he  grasped  his  great  baton  in  such  a  man- 

4 


A    BEAUTIFUL    GIRL    IS    FOUND 

ner  that  he  could  beat  and  ring  it  as  if  it  were  a  huge 
metronome. 

The  store  attendant  had  crowded  a  handful  of 
cakes  and  an  apple  into  the  suffering  boy's  hand 
just  as  the  minstrel  musicians  came  opposite  to 
them.  The  leader  called  to  one  of  the  admiring  boys 
who  was  crowding  along  beside  the  band : 

' '  Tell  that  black-faced  kid  on  the  sidewalk  to  come 
this  way.  I  want  him. ' ' 

Bushing  away,  the  messenger  soon  reached  Ches- 
ter. 

"Hullo,  kid!  That  feller  a  swinging  the  banjo- 
knobbed  pole  wants  ye.  Quick,  er  he'll  be  gone." 

"What  for?" 

*  *  Cheese  it !  Git,  I  tell  ye.  He 's  a  goin '  to  give  ye 
one  of  dem  tooters." 

Uttering  many  thanks  to  the  man  who  had  been 
to  him  a  benfactor,  young  Fenton  hastened  away 
with  the  urchin  who  brought  the  request.  When 
they  came  to  the  manipulator  of  the  staff,  the  lat- 
ter hailed : 

"Here  you  are.  I  want  to  see  you  as  soon  as  we 
are  through  with  this  march.  I  got  some  money  for 
you.  Meet  me  at  the  Bierwirth  Opera  House." 

The  lad  did  as  requested;  and  he  was  employed 
for  a  part  in  the  performance  of  the  evening.  He 
appeared  in  a  burlesque  as  "Coal  Hod  Jimmy." 
For  this  he  received  seventy-five  cents  and  his  sup- 
per. So  well  did  he  perform  the  allotted  role,  that 
the  manager  of  the  Opera  House  gave  him  work  as 

5 


SHACKLES    CAST 

a  stage  hand.  This  caused  him  great  happiness  and 
he  executed  all  requirements  in  a  most  active  and 
faithful  manner. 

He  had  been  in  Nempton  some  time  when  a  popu- 
lar company  came  to  present  a  celebrated  comedy  at 
the  opera  house.  The  leading  lady,  Mrs.  Britt- 
Ernst,  was  an  actress  of  renown.  Great  interest 
prevailed  among  the  citizens  and  a  large  sale  of  re- 
served seats  took  place. 

The  evening  entertainment  afforded  much  pleas- 
ure to  the  audience;  for  the  actress  was  not  only 
beautiful  in  person,  but  she  performed  her  part  in 
a  pleasing  manner  and  with  great  skill. 

Chester  had  duties  connected  with  the  scenic  dis- 
play. Now  and  then  he  had  time  to  peep  at  the  pre- 
sentations which  were  captivating  the  assembled 
multitude.  Passing  around  among  the  back  fills,  he 
unexpectedly  came  upon  a  girl  sitting  on  a  camp 
stool.  She  was  waiting  to  go  forward  as  soon  as 
the  cue  reached  her.  Although  gaudily  attired  for 
stage  appearance,  she  was  of  surpassing  beauty. 

"My!"  he  thought,  "How " 

He  stopped.  A  thrill  passed  through  him.  She 
was  about  his  own  age.  Her  eyes  were  full  upon  his 
face.  He  was  hatless ;  but  he  raised  his  hand  to  the 
tresses  of  hair  upon  his  forehead,  passing  it  through 
the  forms  of  a  respectful  salute. 

"How  lovely!"  was  the  exclamation  that  sprang 
into  his  mind.  "She's  an  angel." 

As  these  sentiments  were  agitating  his  bosom,  a 


A    BEAUTIFUL    GIRL    IS    FOUND 

sweet  smile  brightened  the  girl 's  face,  enhancing  its 
rare  charm.  Chester  also  smiled — and  felt  as  if  he 
would  like  to  fall  down  and  worship  the  vision  which 
had  burst  upon  his  sight.  In  the  midst  of  these  de- 
lights, the  catchwords  from  the  front  rang  in  her 
ears  and  she  bounded  off. 

Chester  stepped  in  a  manner  which  seemed  to  in- 
dicate that  he  was  about  to  follow  her. 

"What  beautiful  eyes!"  broke  from  his  lips  in 
suppresesd  tone,  as  he  stayed  his  feet.  "They  are 
bright  blue — like  my  mother's — my  only  mother, 
not " 

Becoming  silent,  he  looked  for  a  moment  as  if 
forsaken. 

"I  know,"  he  cried,  as  he  ran  to  a  portion  of  the 
scenery  where  he  had  found  a  small  rent  in  one  of 
the  wings.  Looking  through  the  opening,  he  whis- 
pered : 

"There  she  is!  Sweet  enough  to  entrance  a  fel- 
low." 

The  girl  was  on  the  stage.  Her  mother  was  enact- 
ing the  role  of  a  duchess.  A  young  prince  was  visit- 
ing her  and  she  had  called  her  daughter  in  to  meet 
him.  As  Chester  looked  forward  the  three  were 
conversing  and  the  girl  was  acting  very  gracefully. 
A  new  dance,  the  Verbranne,  including  a  ribbon  and 
veil  display,  was  touched  upon  in  conversation: 

"Dorothy  can  present  that,"  remarked  the  duch- 
ess. 

"She  can?    Wouldn't  it  be  fine  if  she  could  be 


SHACKLES    CAST 

persuaded  to  give  it  f "  tendered  the  scion  of  royalty, 
glancing  with  favor  upon  the  young  being  before 
him. 

"I  am  confident  that  she  will  should  you  invite 
her, ' '  answered  the  lady. 

"Please  favor  us,  Miss  Dorothy,"  begged  the 
prince. 

With  modest  reserve  the  girl  yielded,  an  attend- 
ant handing  her  the  necessary  equipment.  With  an 
exceedingly  light  movement,  she  began  what  proved 
to  be  an  unusually  pleasing  performance;  a  pretty 
fairy  step,  heightened  in  beauty  by  graceful  sweeps 
of  waving  ribbon  and  gauze.  At  the  close,  the  audi- 
ence gave  her  an  ovation.  After  bowing  and  retir- 
ing several  times,  a  partial  repetition  of  the  Ver- 
branne  was  presented.  Then  the  girl  flew  as  a  bird 
from  the  proscenium — and  almost  collided  with 
Chester. 

"Pardon  me,"  he  faltered.    "I  didn't  mean " 

"Of  course,  you  did  not,"  she  smilingly  answered, 
touching  his  arm. 

Hurrying  away,  she  disappeared  from  sight. 

The  boy  looked  after  her. 

"Oh,  my!"  he  beamed,  "of  all  the  girls  I  ever  saw, 
she's  the  lovliest." 

Later,  when  the  members  of  the  troupe  were  gath- 
ering up  their  effects  preparatory  to  leaving  the 
place,  Chester  hovered  about  like  one  who  was  go- 
ing to  lose  all  he  possessed.  He  was  living  on  the 

8 


A    BEAUTIFUL    GIRL    IS    FOUND 

sweet  glances  the  maiden  had  bestowed — and  waited 
longing  for  more. 

* '  Come,  Dorothy, ' '  called  the  mother.  * '  They  can 
send  those  things  after  us. ' ' 

Going  towards  the  stage  entrance,  they  passed 
the  disconsolate  lad.  The  girl  held  out  her  hand. 
As  Chester  seized  it,  she  returned  a  gentle  pressure. 

"God  bless  you,"  murmured  the  boy.  "You  are 
lovely  and  good. ' ' 

Again  she  sweetly  smiled;  and  he  took  her  hand 
once  more,  and  raising  it  to  his  lips,  kissed  it.  This 
brought  a  renewal  of  approving  glances. 

"Dorothy,"  recalled  Mrs.  Britt-Ernst,  "come." 

On  the  following  morning  Chester  arose  early. 
As  the  day  advanced,  his  excitement  ran  high.  An 
illuminant  ray  had  entered  his  desolate  life,  it  had 
absorbed  his  mind,  had  enchained  his  senses.  He 
groped  about  his  work  in  a  dreamy  reverie.  At 
length  he  asked  his  employer: 

*  *  May  I  be  absent  for  a  few  hours ! ' ' 

"Absent?    What  are  you  going  to  do?" 

Chester  turned  scarlet.  Being  greatly  embar- 
rassed, he  remained  silent. 

"Well,  go  for  awhile.  You  will  be  needed  to- 
night." 

"I  shall  be  here." 

"Very  well;  that  will  make  it  all  right." 

"Thank  you." 

Dorothy  Britt-Ernst  was  a  member  of  the  Fitz- 
gibbon  Stock  Company.  As  it  had  gone  to  the  rail- 

9 


SHACKLES    CAST 

way  station  where  the  baggage  had  been  taken,  he 
hastened  there  and  gazed  anxiously  about. 

"Of  course,  they  went  on  the  passenger  west," 
he  muttered.  * '  Wonder  to  what  place. ' ' 

"Say,  Mr. ,"  he  called  to  a  man  trimming 

lamps  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  platform,  "where 
did  that  troupe  go?" 

"To  Arrowville." 

The  lad  hurried  into  the  ticket  office. 

"When  does  the  next  train  leave  for  Arrowville?" 
he  inquired. 

"12:15— a  freight." 

"May  passengers  go  on  it?" 

"Yes." 

"Please  give  me  a  ticket  for  Arrowville.*' 

It  was  then  eleven.  When  the  train  came  he 
boarded  it,  and  in  due  time  reached  the  desired 
haven,  sixteen  miles  distant.  Springing  from  the 
coach  he  ran  up  town. 

"Where  is  the  opera  house?"  he  asked  of  a  youth 
who  was  carrying  a  great  roll  of  carpet. 

"Opera  house?  The  Cardinal?  Two  blocks 
north,  three  west." 

"Is  that  north — and  that  west?" 

"Eight  you  are." 

With  brisk  steps  he  hastened  on  and  soon  came 
to  the  building  he  sought.  Speaking  to  an  attendant 
who  was  busy  washing  down  the  gallery  stairs,  he 
inquired : 

"Is  the  Fitzgibbon  Company  here  tonight?" 

10 


A    BEAUTIFUL    GIRL    IS    FOUND 

"Fitzgibbon?  No.  The  Dupont  Minstrels  go  on 
the  boards." 

"Is  that  so?" 

1 '  There 's  the  bill.    Bead  it. ' ' 

The  informant  was  right.  The  Duponts  were 
billed  for  six  consecutive  appearances,  beginning  that 
evening. 

He  afterwards  learned  that  the  Fitzgibbons  had 
gone  westward.  It  was  nine  o'clock  at  night  before 
he  got  back  to  the  Bierwirth. 

"Hello!"  cried  the  stage  manager.  "Had  to  set 
another  fellow  in  your  place.  Dunno  whether  the 
boss '11  turn  him  off  or  not." 

Young  Fenton  was  troubled.  He  had  not  found 
the  fair  girl  whom  he  had  sought — and,  perhaps,  he 
had  lost  the  place  which  had  yielded  him  a  livelihood. 
He  determined  to  see  the  manager  of  the  Bierwith 
in  the  morning. 


11 


CHAPTER  II. 

BASE   TREATMENT   OF   CHESTER  FENTON. 

For  months  Chester  Fenton  had  been  engaged  as 
a  porter  in  the  Nettleson  hotel,  Wichopolis.  During 
that  employment,  his  mind  had  the  past  in  profound 
subordination.  While  he  was  busily  recalling  the 
happy  occurrences  at  the  Nempton  Opera  House,  his 
attention  was  suddenly  arrested  by  flaming  display- 
posters  announcing  the  coming  of  the  famous  Fitz- 
gibbon  Company.  In  a  few  days  it  was  to  be  in  the 
city  for  a  presentation  of  the  "  Merry  Men  of  Mon- 
terey. ' ' 

' '  Coming !    Oh,  I  shall  be  happy. ' ' 

The  statement  of  those  bills  filled  his  mind  with 
visionary  thought.  As  the  hours  moved  forward, 
Dorothy  was  the  central  figure  in  his  consciousness. 

"Will  she  remember  me?  Of  course — for  she  is 
good." 

With  him  she  had  been  an  enduring  entity.  In 
his  day  dreams  her  face  had  been  present  beside 
that  of  his  mother's ;  by  night,  the  two  had  been  min- 
gled in  the  flitting  images  of  sleep. 

"She  is  beautiful — so  sweet,"  he  murmured. 
"  I  've  been  trying  to  save  money  for  her.  It 's  slow, 
but  still " 

The  thought  died  without  full  expression;  but 

12 


BASE  TREATMENT  OF  CHESTER  FENTON 

in  his  imagination  flitted  shadows  of  a  house  in  a 
beautiful  garden,  and  of  himself  sitting  on  a  porch 
beside  a  flaxen-haired  young  lady. 

" Please  let  it  come,"  he  petitioned,  looking  heav- 
enward. "I'll  be  so  good  that  my  mother  who  has 
gone  will  bless  me." 

The  evening  for  the  "Merry  Men  of  Monterey" 
came  at  last;  and  the  Monckton  Grand  found  Ches- 
ter in  a  seat  near  the  proscenium.  With  throbbing 
heart  he  watched  each  secne,  expecting  that  any  mo- 
ment would  bring  forward  Mrs.  Britt-Ernst  or  the 
young  daughter,  Dorothy,  for  whom  his  eyes  long- 
ingly waited.  But  neither  came. 

The  curtain  fell  and  he  slowly  arose,  his  coun- 
tenance betraying  sadness.  Going  out,  he  made  his 
way  to  the  stage  entrance  and  passed  into  the  inner 
rooms. 

"Where  is  Mr.  Fitzgibbon?"  he  asked  of  an  actor 
he  met. 

The  person  addressed  pointed  to  a  partially  open 
door.  Trembling,  the  youth  tapped  upon  it. 

"Come,"  was  the  response. 

Chester  entered  and  found  a  tall  man  buttoning 
up  his  overcoat. 

."Excuse  me,"  he  faltered,  "but  is  Mrs.  Britt- 
Ernst  here?" 

"Mrs.  Britt-Ernst?  What  do  you  know  about 
that  woman?" 

"I  knew  her  once." 

"You  did?     Well,  she's  not  with  us  now — been 

13 


SHACKLES    CAST 

away  a  year  or  so.    Went  to  the  dogs ! ' ' 

''The  dogs,  sir?" 

"Same  thing!  Left  a  company  that  would  have 
made  her  a  millionaire.  Married  a  roustabout. ' ' 

"Where  was  that  if  you  please,  sir?" 

"At  Los  Angles." 

"Will  you  tell  me  the  man's  name!" 

"Let  me  see.  Stadman — no,  Strathmore,  Oscar 
Strathmore. ' ' 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Fitzgibbon." 

Chester  hurried  away.  He  walked  the  streets  in 
various  directions,  unable  to  settle  his  mind  suffi- 
ciently for  a  return  to  the  hotel  for  sleep.  At  length 
he  found  himself  near  the  end  of  a  bridge  spanning 
the  Arkansas  river.  He  did  not  notice  that  two 
rough  looking  men  were  dodging  after  him.  Near- 
ing  the  middle  arch  he  recognized  stealthy  steps  be- 
hind him.  Undisturbed,  he  partially  faced  around. 

"Howdy!"  saluted  one  of  the  fellows.  "What's 
er  name  of  the  street  at  tother  end  of  the  bridge  ? ' ' 

Carelessly  Chester  cast  his  eyes  in  the  direction 
indicated.  On  the  instant,  the  other  struck  him  a 
terrible  blow  upon  his  head.  Stunned,  he  fell  to  the 
ground.  The  questioner,  dropping  on  his  knees,  be- 
gan to  rifle  the  pockets  of  the  stricken  boy,  while  the 
wielder  of  the  sandbag  stood  guard. 

"Has  he  got  rhino?"  fumed  the  latter. 

"Sure — some  anyway.  I  knowed  he  allus  carried 
his  stuff — what  he  didn't  git  away  with." 

14 


BASE  TREATMENT  OF  CHESTER  FENTON 

"Somebody's  comin'  on  the  furder  end  of  the 
bridge, ' '  muffled  the  watch. 

"Trapped!"  growled  the  other,  stuffing  the  steal- 
ings into  his  pocket.  "We'll  have  to  sling  him  over. 
He  seed  me — an '  then  they  '1  cotch  us  if  we  leave  him 
here.  Take  him  by  the  heels. " 

The  two  lifted  and  dropped  him  over  the  bridge 
railing  into  the  flood  below. 

"Down  on  the  timbers  till  them  two  fellers  git  by 
-then  we '11  git!" 

With  these  words  they  scrambled  down  to  the 
stringer-supports. 

Xear  the  end  on  which  Chester  had  entered  the 
bridge,  a  policeman,  Bob  Strayer,  was  advancing. 
Being  for  the  moment  a  little  unwary,  he  paid  but 
trifling  attention  to  the  figures  moving  on  the  cen- 
tral portion  of  the  structure.  Unexpectedly,  as  it 
seemed  to  his  slowly  -awakening  senses,  he  saw  one 
spring  from  the  rail  into  the  water.  Then  he 
aroused. 

"Jumped  into  the  river,"  he  exclaimed. 

With  a  swift  turn  and  a  dash,  he  was  at  the  bank 
of  the  stream  in  a  moment. 

* '  Bill ! "  he  shouted  to  a  man  in  a  little  shanty  by 
the  river's  side,  "a  couple  of  oars,  quick!" 

The  man  glanced  out  of  the  partially  opened  door, 
then  seized  two  oars  and  hurried  down  to  where  the 
guardian  of  the  law  stood  with  his  hand  on  the  prow 
of  the  boat. 

"What's  going  forrardl"  he  demanded. 

15 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"Somebody's  jumped  into  the  drink.  Spring  in. 
Take  one  skimmer  and  I  '11  pull  the  other. ' ' 

"This  ice  is  going  to  bother,"  grumbled  Bill. 
*  *  Can 't  tell  anybody  from  a  chunk  of  drift. ' ' 

"We  got  to  try.  Pull  slaunchwise.  Whoever  it 
is,  he  '11  be  a  hundred  yards  down  the  stream  by  this 
time." 

When  Chester  struck  the  icy  water  of  the  river, 
the  sudden  plunge  aroused  him  to  consciousness. 
Rising  to  the  surface  at  the  moment  of  his  restora- 
tion, although  palsied  with  cold,  he  struck  out  being 
a  good  swimmer.  Pieces  of  the  floating  ice  inter- 
fered with  his  arms  and  hands,  at  times  striking 
him  on  the  face.  The  lights  along  the  shore,  serv- 
ing as  guides,  enabled  him  to  direct  his  course. 

Thus  for  awhile  he  struggled.  But  soon  the  chill 
of  his  members  made  his  action  slow. 

"I  can  never  reach  it,"  he  murmured,  looking 
shoreward.  ' '  Mother,  I  am  coming. ' ' 

He  had  struck  a  piece  of  ice  several  feet  in  ex- 
tent. Putting  his  hands  upon  it,  he  ceased  effort. 

"It  is  dark— dark!" 

His  eyes  slowly  closed. 

"I  wonder  where  she  is?"  he  breathed.  "Doro- 
thy, sweetest  on  earth,  good-by,  dear  love,  good-by. ' ' 

For  a  minute  or  so  he  remained  inert,  floating 
with  the  current.  Then  he  felt  that  his  support  on 
the  drift  was  being  lost.  A  stroke  or  two  with  his 
feet  and  the  hold  was  renewed;  but  his  brain  was 

16 


BASE  TREATMENT  OF  CHESTER  FENTON 

yielding  to  insensibility.  His  grasp  on  life  was  slip- 
ping away. 

"Here,  Bill,  take  my  oar,"  shouted  Strayer 
"Work  'em  both.  Somebody  is  right  ahead." 

Passing  his  implement  to  his  companion,  he 
kneeled  down  in  the  prow. 

' '  A  little  left, ' '  he  cried.    '  '  There !    Hold  steady. ' ' 

"Pull!    He's  sinking!" 

The  bow  struck  the  piece  of  ice  on  which  Chester 's 
hands  still  had  a  slight  hold.  The  policeman  leaned 
over  and  clutched  the  disappearing  youth  by  the  coat 
sleeve. 

"Slack  up!"  he  called.  "Balance  the  craft;  so 
I  can  pull  him  in. " 

This  was  done — and  young  Fenton,  being  drawn 
over  the  gunwale,  was  placed  in  the  bottom  of  the 
boat. 

"He's  about  gone,  Bill.  We  must  get  him  to  quar- 
ters on  a  run." 

A  few  minutes  later  they  were  on  shore. 

"Bill,  he's  breathing.  Let's  rush  him  to  the  sta- 
tion. You  take  hold  of  his  legs." 

Placing  Chester  on  their  shoulders,  they  hurried 
him  to  the  office  of  the  police  surgeon. 


CHAPTEE  III. 

ATTEMPTED  SURVEILLANCE  BY  CRIMINALS. 

The  incident  of  the  rescue  was  four  weeks  old. 
Chester,  after  his  resuscitation  by  the  surgeon  and 
his  recovery  of  strength,  had  been  returned  to  the 
Nettleson,  where  he  resumed  his  occupation.  Penni- 
less, for  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  carrying  all  his 
savings  about  his  person,  he  was  trying  to  earn  more 
money — that  he  might  bring  the  vision  which  hung 
over  Los  Angeles  nearer  to  his  longing  gaze. 

"Is  this  the  fellow  that  did  you  up?"  demanded 
Bob  Strayer,  suddenly  thrusting  a  refractory  and 
ragged  creature  before  the  youth  as  he  was  busy 
in  an  alcove  of  the  office. 

Fenton  looked  and  his  eyes  fell.  It  was  the  man 
who  had  accosted  him  on  the  bridge  at  the  time  that 
he  was  robbed.  But  the  ferocious  glare  that  met 
him,  and  the  interdictive  warning  from  the  shaggy 
brows,  gave  him  pause.  A  scarlet  flush  mounted  his 
face,  investing  it  with  a  tell-tale  acknowldgment ;  yet 
he  did  not  reply. 

"What's  on  the  wire?"  demanded  the  policeman, 
looking  keenly  at  the  youth. 
"I  don't  seem  to  know,"  he  replied,  not  venturing 

18 


ATTEMPTED    SURVEILLANCE    BY    CRIMINALS 

again  to  scan  the  rascal  who  confronted  him.  ' '  May- 
be I  can  tell  better  after  awhile." 

"Jes'  so,"  returned  Strayer.  "I  know,"  he 
growled,  slipping  steel  wristlets  on  the  culprit. 

Taking  firm  hold  of  his  prisoner's  arm,  he  hustled 
him  rapidly  from  the  room. 

Chester  continued  his  work;  but  his  spirit  dwelt 
in  discomfited  measure  all  day  long.  As  the  even- 
ing came  on,  he  went  from  the  hotel  on  a  matter  of 
business.  He  noticed  a  man  of  tattered  appearance 
near  the  curb.  A  glance  at  the  loathsome  looking 
object  caused  the  boy  to  go  forward  rapidly;  yet 
when  he  had  performed  his  errand  and  was  about  to 
return  home,  he  passed  the  same  individual  stand- 
ing at  the  outer  edge  of  the  pavement.  Chester 
hesitated,  coming  almost  to  a  standstill. 

In  a  mood  which  was  far  from  pleasing,  he  con- 
tinued his  walk  toward  the  hotel,  question  and  an- 
swer chasing  each  other  alternately  through  his 
mind  with  startling  rapidity. 

''There  is  a  reason  for  this  double  meeting.  For 
some  purpose  this  man  is  dogging  my  steps,"  he 
decided  upon  his  return. 

Entering  the  hotel,  he  sat  down  and  continued  to 
reflect  upon  the  incident  until  he  retired  for  the 
night.  On  the  following  morning  he  noticed  the 
same  tatterdemalion  watching  the  hotel  from  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  street.  Chester  then  became  con- 
vinced that  he  was  the  object  of  a  surveillance  estab- 

19 


SHACKLES    CAST 

lished  by  the  associates  of  the  criminal  who  had  been 
arrested  and  held  by  the  authorities. 

"It's  so  and  no  mistake.    They  are  after  me." 

A  little  later  Bob  Strayer  called  on  the  youth  and 
in  an  informal  talk  tried  to  brace  him  up  for  a  com- 
ing examination  by  the  police  judge  of  the  suspected 
criminal. 

* '  He 's  the  rascal  and  you  know  it — and  justice  re- 
quires you  to  say  so — and  our  force  will  see  to  it  that 
no  harm  comes  to  you." 

"He  and  his  crowd  are  watching  me — follow  me 
wherever  I  go.  They  failed  to  drown  me,  so  they 
are  going  to  try  some  other  way." 

He  then  related  the  incidents  which  had  occurred 
since  the  arrest,  showing  how  he  had  been  spied 
upon  and  followed. 

'  *  There  don 't  any  more  crims  chase  you, ' '  averred 
the  bluecoat.  "I'll  see  to  that.  Enough  fellows 
shall  be  on  the  watch  to  protect  you  and  nab  that 
blossom." 

"But  there  are  others,"  returned  the  lad. 

"Mebbe — but  we'll  keep  you  safe.  Fact  is,  the 
one  in  soak  will  go  down  to  the  pen  and  his  gang, 
every  one  of  them,  will  trot  along  after  him.  Mark 
it :  there'll  be  a  batch  of  devils  the  less  in  this  place." 

"Perhaps  you  can  care  for  me." 

"I'll  send  a  man  right  straight.  If  that  fellow 
comes  back,  point  him  out  and  we'll  run  him  in!" 

The  incidents  above  related  led  the   youth    into 

20 


ATTEMPTED    SURVEILLANCE    BY    CRIMINALS 

serious  reflection.    Did  he  care  to  suffer  more  from 
the  brutal  element  of  the  city? 

"It  won't  do,"  he  insisted.    "It  won't  do." 

Since  his  interview  with  Fitzgibbon,  a  longing  for 
the  Pacific  coast  had  seized  his  heart.  It  thus  hap- 
pened that  the  present  course  of  events  enlarged  his 
thought  of  departing  from  the  Nettleson.  Busily 
pursuing  his  duty,  he  suddenly  perceived  the  same 
nondescript  eyeing  him  through  the  partially  open 
door  of  the  lavatory. 

"What  do  you  want?"  he  inquired,  stepping  to- 
ward the  fellow. 

"Nothin',"  was  the  reply.  "Jest  a  lookin' 
around. ' ' 

"The  proprietor  does  not  allow  persons  who  are 
not  guests  to  occupy  this  room. ' ' 

The  man  gave  him  a  savage  look,  then  twisted 
about  and  shot  away. 

This  occurrence  fixed  his  half-formed  resolution. 
In  the  evening  he  slipped  away  from  the  rear  of  the 
hotel. 

"I'm  up  against  it,"  muttered  Chester. 

A  few  minutes  later  he  was  at  the  railroad  yards 
watching  for  a  chance  to  depart  for  the  west.  He 
soon  managed  to  do  this  for  several  days  indepen- 
dent of  paying  fare ;  for  he  had  but  a  small  amount 
of  money.  On  an  afternoon,  from  a  town  in  New 
Mexico,  he  caught  the  second  blind  of  the  mail  train. 
A  man  already  occupied  it. 

21 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"Hello,  bo !  Which  way?"  was  the  salutation  that 
greeted  Chester. 

"Going  to  Los  Angeles." 

"Peubla  de  Los  Angeles,  eh?  It's  a  cussed  fraud 
to  call  it  that !  No  angel  in  the  hull  push.  The  cops 
are  the  most  ornery  on  airth.  I  never  ran  up  agin 
sich  a  outfit ! ' ' 

In  Los  Angeles  the  figure  of  a  young  girl  was 
awaiting  him  the  youth  believed.  He,  therefore, 
promptly  replied : 

"There  are  some  good  people  in  that  place." 

"You  are  left!    They  are  all  misfits." 

"Where  are  you  bound?"  asked  Chester,  in  an  ef- 
fort to  change  the  drift  of  the  conversation. 

"To  the  happy  land  o'  Canaan.  I'm  drum  major 
of  Gideon's  band." 

"Indeed!    That's  fine." 

"Bet  your  boots.    Gimme  a  bite  of  tobac." 

"Haven't  got  a  bit." 

"You're  a  daisy !  'Spect  to  git  on  a  kerridge  with 
a  copper  magnate  of  Arizony,  the  owner  of  all  the 
mines  in  that  kentry — and  not  have  a  chaw  to  give 
him?" 

They  rode  awhile  longer;  but  when  the  train  was 
leaving  a  town,  two  brakemen,  one  on  each  side  of 
the  platform,  sprang  on  the  car  end. 

"Tickets!"  roared  the  first  one  up. 

' '  Mine 's  a  pass, ' '  returned  the  copper  magnate. 

"Let's  see  it." 

"A  tie  pass.    I  left  it  tother  end  of  the  road." 

22 


ATTEMPTED    SURVEILLANCE   BY   CRIMINALS 

"Draw  your  wad  quicker 'n  scat." 

"A  feller  swiped  mine — I  don't  know  how  it  is 
with  my  pard. ' ' 

*  *  Git,  then ! ' '  yelled  the  brakeman. 

"Don't  git  till  the  keer  stops,"  countered  the 
leader  of  Gideon's  band. 

"Split  the  ties!"  roared  the  trainman.  "Rip 
them  up,  you  -  -  bum,  or  I'll  land  you!" 

"You  keep  your  hands  off 'n  me  while  she's  a  snort- 
in'  like  this." 

"Throw  your  clodhops,  I  tell  you!" 

"T'ell  an'  be  scorched!  I'll  skidoo  when  the  out- 
fit comes  to  a  stand,"  he  sullenly  answered,  leaning 
back  against  the  end  of  the  coach. 

The  trainhand  grabbed  him  and  with  great 
strength  began  to  drag  him  toward  the  platform 
steps. 

"Let  up!"  hammered  out  the  drum  major.  "A 
ride  on  this  postal  rig  don't  cost  the  railroad  noth- 
ing. Guvment  pays  the  freight. ' ' 

He  had  seized  the  railing  with  both  hands  and  was 
holding  on  with  all  his  might. 

The  second  brakeman,  who  had  not  spoken  during 
the  altercation,  now  came  to  the  assistance  of  his 
comrade  and  with  well  directed  kicks  from  his  heavy 
boot,  compelled  the  hobo  to  loosen  his  grip.  Finding 
that  he  was  going  to  be  worsted,  he  suddenly  flung 
his  arms  around  his  assailant's  neck.  He  then  threw 
his  whole  weight  against  him.  The  two  rolled  off 
the  end  of  the  narrow  platform,  falling  heavily  upon 

23 


SHACKLES    CAST 

the  side  of  the  graveled  track.  The  attacking  brake- 
man  became  the  under  dog  and  fell  with  a  crash  on 
his  side,  breaking  his  left  forearm.  At  the  moment 
this  occurred,  the  kicking  savage,  who  had  early 
clutched  Chester  by  the  collar,  now  fiercely  swung 
him  after  the  disappearing  train. 

'  *  Cuss  'em, ' '  he  stormed, '  *  let  'em  go  together. ' ' 

The  train  had  gained  full  headway. 

"Shiver  everything!"  he  continued.  "Jet  got  it 
in  the  neck.  I'll  bet  he's  done  up !" 

He  made  a  movement  toward  the  steps,  then 
swung  around. 

"Don't  figure  how  quick  he  is,  he  can't  get  aboard. 
That  lousy  shyster  floored  him." 

Beaching  up,  he  grasped  the  bell  cord  and  gave 
the  engineer  the  stop  signal. 

The  lightning  express  came  to  a  standstill.  The 
brakeman  on  the  blind  jumped  off  and  ran  to  meet 
the  conductor  who  had  hastily  alighted. 

"Who  pulled  the  cord  I"  demanded  the  latter. 

"I  did,"  replied  the  subordinate.  "Jet  and  I 
were  throwing  off  two  tramps  and  they  got  him. 
He's  back  here  a  piece." 

The  line  of  coaches  backed  up  to  where  the  train- 
man was  hobbling  along  to  meet  it.  When  falling 
the  hobo  drove  his  knees  heavily  into  his  opponent's 
side.  In  addition  to  the  broken  arm,  this  well-nigh 
paralyzed  the  brakeman.  Uninjured,  the  castaway 
sprang  from  him  and  hustled  away.  He  had  gone 

24 


ATTEMPTED    SURVEILLANCE    BY    CRIMINALS 

a  short  distance  when  he  stumbled  upon  Chester, 
who  lay  writhing  in  anguish. 

"Hi,  sidepard,  how  goes  it!'* 

Save  a  groan,  no  answer  was  returned. 

"Did  that  cussed  swab  do  you  up?" 

' '  My  leg  is  broken.    I  cannot  stand. ' ' 

*  *  Leg  broke !    Which  one  f ' ' 

The  man  knelt  down  and  began  to  feel  the  limb 
indicated. 

"No  break,"  he  pronounced.  "Maybe  knocked 
out.  Let's  see  you  stand." 

"I  can't  stand.  Tried  it  and  couldn't.  Ankle's 
broken." 

Another  overhauling  by  the  major  of  the  drums, 
followed. 

"Swelling  some.  Wrenched  pretty  bad,  I  reckon, 
but  not  cracked.  Stop  you  from  goin'  to  see  them 
angels  for  a  spell." 

The  train  had  pulled  out  and  the  hobo  stood  up 
and  looked  around. 

"Say,"  he  twanged.  "I  kin  hear  a  dog  barkin' 
over  yander.  Looks  like  a  house  and  jacal  agin  the 
sky.  It's  a  rancho.  You'll  be  able  to  make  it  in  the 
morning.  I  '11  have  to  go  back  to  the  station  to  ketch 
a  train.  S 'long  till  I  see  you  agin. " 

With  these  words  he  took  the  middle  of  the  track 
and  was  soon  lost  in  the  shadows  of  the  night. 

To  Chester  the  darkness  seemed  interminable. 
For  hours  he  held  his  aching  leg  with  both  hands, 
while  there  rang  around  him  on  every  hand  the 

25 


SHACKLES    CAST 

barks  and  piercing  howls  of  gray  wolves.  During 
the  night  train  after  train  rushed  by.  On  one  of 
them,  from  the  side  door  of  a  cattle  car,  his  late  com- 
panion saluted: 

"Right  side  up,  pard!" 

After  a  long  period  of  suffering,  the  sun  arose 
and  the  youth  began  to  look  for  the  ranch  intimated 
by  the  hobo  to  be  not  far  away.  In  one  direction 
was  a  river,  with  forest  growth  along  its  banks, 
while  not  far  distant  he  could  distinguish  ranch 
buildings  and  fences.  When  the  morning  was  ad- 
vanced, he  saw  a  large  herd  of  cattle  grazing  near 
the  track,  moving  towards  him.  His  body  was 
bruised  and  sore,  but  he  stood  upon  his  uninjured 
limb  and  attempted  to  step  forward. 

1 '  No  good, ' '  he  muttered.  '  *  One  leg  will  work,  but 
the  other " 

He  sank  back  to  the  ground  and  placing  his  head 
on  his  arm  his  eyes  moistened ;  for  he  thought  that, 
perhaps,  he  was  permanently  crippled. 

"Dorothy  wouldn't  want  to  see  a  hobbling  old 
plug  coming  along  out  there!" 

Another  hour  had  passed.  He  again  sat  up. 
Grasping  his  swollen  ankle,  he  cried  out : 

' '  It  hurts  dreadfully.    What  am  I  going  to  do  ? ' ' 

Sitting  erect  for  some  minutes,  he  scanned  the 
surface  of  the  prairie. 

"Somebody's  coming  this  way,"  he  voiced  a  little 
later. 

26 


ATTEMPTED    SURVEILLANCE    BY    CRIMINALS 

A  person  on  horseback  was  following  a  trail  that 
came  near  to  where  he  lay. 

"It's  a  woman,"  he  declared.  "Her  cayuse  is  on 
a  lope,  but  she  is  still  urging  it  on. ' ' 

The  rider  was  a  fair  young  girl  of  fifteen  or  more. 
Her  appearance  was  highly  romantic  and  her  beauti- 
ful hair  fell  upon  her  shoulders  in  massive,  rich  ring- 
lets. As  she  came  opposite  Chester,  she  presented 
a  picture  of  maidenly  charm  which  could  not  fail  to 
arrest  the  attention  of  a  youthful  mind.  Casting  a 
single  glance  upon  him,  she  continued  to  ride  for- 
ward ;  but  the  youth 's  good-featured,  clearly  formed 
countenance,  with  pleading  eyes,  caused  her  to  hesi- 
tate. Drawing  rein,  she  turned  around,  circling  to 
where  he  sat  with  his  hands  on  his  injured  ankle. 

"Are  you  hurt?"  she  asked. 

He  nodded,  and  in  a  moment  added : 

"Yes,  Miss — a  good  deal." 

"Did  you  fall  from  the  train?" 

Chester  looked  steadily  into  her  eyes — eyes  of  en- 
trancing beauty  and  beaming  with  such  compassion 
that  they  held  him  speechless  for  some  moments.  As  . 
it  became  evident  to  him  that  there  was  nothing  but 
a  gentle  desire  to  understand  the  situation,  he  re- 
plied : 

* '  I  was  thrown  off. ' ' 

"Thrown  off!"  she  murmured.    "Why  did— 

She  held  her  words  back ;  for  although  she  did  not 
understand  the  cause  of  Chester's  fall,  it  occurred 
to  her  that  she  must  not  press  for  information  at 

27 


SHACKLES    CAST 

this  time;  for  should  it  be  necessary  to  know  how 
it  had  happened,  a  statement  later  would  be  made. 

1 1  Never  mind.    It  does  not  matter. ' ' 
Remaining  silent  for  a  moment,  she  again  spoke : 

"Are  you  hurt  so  that  you  cannot  ride  a  horse ?" 

"I  think  I  can  ride." 

'  *  Then  I  will  go  back  and  see  the  young  man  with 
the  cattle  and  have  him  bring  a  horse  to  you. ' ' 

She  was  gone  but  a  few  minutes.  Upon  her  re- 
turn she  was  accompanied  by  a  herder  who,  jumping 
off  his  horse,  exclaimed : 

"Hello,  cripple!  I  reckon  we  can  get  you  on  to 
this  crittur.  What  do  you  say?" 

"Perhaps  I  can  climb  on,"  Chester  answered,  ris- 
ing on  one  foot  from  his  lowly  position.  Stumbling 
to  the  side  of  the  animal,  he  placed  his  hands  on  its 
back. 

"Give  me  your  unbusted  prop,"  requested  the 
cowboy.  ' '  There, ' '  he  commented,  as  he  seized  with 
both  hands  the  leg  which  was  unhurt  and  fairly  lifted 
the  youth  from  the  ground  into  the  saddle,  "now 
you're  on  top!" 

"Wait  a  minute!"  he  continued,  adjusting  the  in- 
jured foot  to  the  stirrup.  "It's  best  to  have  that 
jint  in  the  slot.  If  you  hold  yourself  on  the  other 
clog,  this  one  ought  to  be  where  it'll  be  out  of  the 
way." 

"You  are  very  kind,"  gratefully  returned  Fenton. 

They  began  to  move  forward,  following  a  narrow 

23 


ATTEMPTED    SURVEILLANCE   BY   CRIMINALS 

trail.  The  young  girl  led  until  they  were  near  the 
homestead,  then  she  turned  and  said : 

"I  will  ride  faster  and  prepare  mother  for  your 
coming.  It  is  best  for  you  to  ride  slowly." 

Speaking  to  her  mount,  she  went  speedily  onward 
in  the  direction  of  the  dwelling,  which  she  soon  had 
reached.  Chester  saw  her  in  conversation  with  a 
lady  who  had  come  out  to  the  front  porch.  Present- 
ly the  younger  one  galloped  back  to  the  place  where 
the  youth  was  about  to  enter  the  gate  leading  into 
the  home  lot. 

"Have  I  delayed  you?"  she  asked  of  her  charge. 

"Oh,  no.    I  came  right  along." 

The  house  was  built  in  two  sections ;  the  rear  part 
was  of  hewn  logs  obtained  from  the  woodlands  skirt- 
ing the  river;  the  front  elevation  was  constructed  of 
lumber  in  a  good  style  of  architecture. 

In  the  grounds  around  the  home  were  many  beau- 
tiful shrubs  and  tastefully  arranged  beds  brilliant 
with  flowers.  The  porch  extended  on  two  sides  and 
was  almost  enclosed  by  a  heavy  growth  of  Ameri- 
can ivy.  At  the  steps  Chester  dismounted  with  diffi- 
culty, although  helped  by  the  herder  who  had  fol- 
lowed him.  After  a  while  the  youth  stood  within 
the  shadow  of  the  vines.  Assisted  by  a  domestic, 
the  young  lady  set  a  small  table  before  him,  on  which 
food  was  placed. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  mother  came.  She  was 
a  handsome  woman — perhaps  thirty-five  years  of 
age ;  and  a  glance  made  manifest  whence  the  daugh- 

29 


SHACKLES    CAST 

ter's  beauty  in  its  most  striking  features  was  de- 
rived. Looking  kindly  on  the  injured  youth,  she  said 
to  him: 

"You  have  been  unfortunate,  Alma  tells  me.  I 
am  very  sorry.  Mr.  Arlington  is  away  from  home — 
is  at  Santa  Fe.  But  after  you  have  refreshed  your- 
self, we  shall  see  if  something  can  be  done  to  relieve 
the  pain  of  your  injured  ankle.  I  have  sent  for  a 
physician. 

"You  are  very  good,  madam,"  gratefully  re- 
turned Chester,  the  tears  springing  to  his  eyes. 
"And  the  young  lady  has  been  so  kind  that  I  do  not 
know  how  I  may  thank  you  enough." 

Mrs.  Arlington  smiled  and  pleasantly  answered: 
*  *  We  are  glad  to  assist  you. ' ' 

While  thus  speaking,  she  arranged  the  articles 
of  food  within  his  reach. 

Thus  he  was  introduced  to  the  house  of  Mr. 
Charles  Arlington,  who  had  formerly  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Boston.  The  gentleman  had  come  to  the  far 
southwest  partly  because  his  business  was  decreas- 
ing in  volume,  and  partly  on  account  of  his  health, 
which  had  suffered  by  close  confinement  in  a  crowd- 
ed city.  To  counteract  the  threatened  conditions, 
his  physicians  recommended  the  climate  of  New 
Mexico. 


30 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CHESTER  BREATHED  HIS  LOVE  FOR  DOROTHY. 

Young  Fenton  had  remained  at  Hurstlands,  the 
vast  landed  estate  of  the  Arlingtons,  for  more  than 
two  years.  His  innate  ability  and  willing  disposition 
had  taught  him  to  become  one  of  the  most  expert 
of  the  herders  or  cowboys  on  the  range. 

"He's  a  good  one,"  declared  a  stock  foreman. 
"He  can  rope  a  steer  or  bust  a  bronco  with  the  best 
of  them." 

To  his  employer,  Charles  Arlington,  he  had  been 
most  faithful;  and  in  recognition  he  was  then  re- 
ceiving a  wage  equal  to  that  paid  to  men  who  had 
been  engaged  in  the  work  for  many  years. 

"All  for  Dorothy,"  he  whispered,  as  he  put  by 
another  addition  to  his  hoard. 

"When  I  am  a  little  older  and  have  larger  sav- 
ings, I  will  go  to  her,"  he  declared  at  a  later  date, 
while  he  was  busily  engaged  endeavoring  to  hive  a 
swarm  of  bees. 

He  had  put  a  white  cloth  under  the  tree  in  which 
they  were  clustered.  Some  honeycomb  was  placed  in 
an  empty  hive  he  had  set  on  two  small  blocks  on  the 
cloth.  It  was  not  long  before  the  bees  had  taken 
possession  of  the  cell  prepared  for  them. 

31 


SHACKLES    CAST 

The  passing  of  the  days  had  so  developed  and 
matured  his  features  and  the  proportions  of  his 
body,  that  he  had  become  a  manly-looking  youth — 
indeed,  many  persons  pronounced  him  handsome. 
To  a  friend  at  Santa  Fe,  Mrs.  Arlington  announced : 

"He's  a  fine  looking  young  man — and  is  honest 
and  good." 

Mrs.  Arlington,  kind  and  sympathetic,  had  treated 
him  with  the  consideration  and  attention  of  a  good 
mother.  To  young  Fenton  this  had  been  most  grate- 
ful— in  return  he  was  reverential  and  ever  watchful 
of  an  opportunity  to  serve  her.  The  daughter  had 
been  very  gracious,  had  contributed  to  his  feelings 
and  personal  comfort  as  if  she  were  the  kindest  of 
sisters.  These  conditions  were  strengthened  by  the 
following  incidents : 

On  one  occasion  Alma,  sitting  before  her  easel  in 
the  woodlands  near  the  Canadian,  was  sketching  the 
surrounding  scenery.  A  great  Gila  monster,  the 
heloderma,  with  a  black,  scaly  body  slashed  by  flam- 
ing yellow,  suddenly  sprang  towards  her.  The  girl 
cried  terribly.  Chester  hearing  it,  dashed  there  on 
horseback  and  saved  her  from  danger  by  killing  the 
beast  with  his  revolver. 

At  another  time  she  was  coming  home  after  hav- 
ing taken  some  gifts  to  a  poor  widow  several  miles 
distant.  A  creek  near  the  Arlington  home  had  sud- 
denly swollen  by  a  water  flood  from  the  mountains. 
Riding  her  favorite  pony,  she  endeavored  to  cross, 
but  her  mount  was  forced  down  the  stream  and  soon 

32 


CHESTER  BREATHED  HIS  LOVE  FOR  DOROTHY 

she  was  swept  from  its  back.  Her  cry  was  again 
heard  by  Chester,  who  ran  to  the  water  course.  See- 
ing her  sink,  he  sprang  in  and  after  tremendous  ef- 
fort, imperiling  the  life  of  both,  he  brought  her 
ashore. 

These  events  seemed  to  bring  Chester  into  closer 
relation  with  the  members  of  the  family.  Mr.  Ar- 
lington was  aroused  to  a  warmer  interest  and 
evinced  renewed  solicitude  concerning  the  youth's 
welfare — and  Alma  thanked  him  much,  smiling  upon 
him  in  a  manner  that  spoke  volumes. 

As  the  days  wore  on,  Chester's  unwavering  heed 
to  their  wishes  and  his  constant  effort  to  execute 
faithfully  every  direction  given  to  him,  were  mani- 
fest on  all  occasions.  Moreover,  it  was  apparent 
that  the  friendship  between  him  and  the  daughter 
drew  stronger. 

"A  wonderful  good  girl,"  he  often  thought. 

Yet  sometimes  he  would  question  himself  as  to 
whether  he  was  maintaining  too  great  an  interest  in 
her;  for  the  shadowy  outlines  of  another  form  con- 
stantly evolved  itself  in  his  memory. 

1  'I  shall  not  forget  Dorothy,"  he  avowed, 
1  'never!" 

"But  it  is  true  that  Alma  is  exceptionally  dear. 
She  is  always  ready  to  assist  me  or  do  anything  for 
me.  A  wonderful  girl ! ' ' 

At  length  his  earnest  attention  and  regard  caused 
renewed  reflection;  and  when  he  concluded  there 
was  danger  of  the  replacement  of  the  old  by  the  sub- 

33 


SHACKLES    CAST 

stitution  of  the  new,  he  began  to  consider  himself 
traitorous : 

"Disloyal  to  her,"  he  muttered.  "No,  Dorothy, 
no.  It  shall  not  be." 

From  that  time  forward,  his  dreams  again  took 
form  around  the  unknown  city  of  Los  Angeles.  Then 
came  the  reflection  that  he  must  move  on — must 
seek  the  absent  one.  So  conscientious  was  he  in  the 
remembrance  of  the  young  girl  who  took  his  hand 
on  the  stage  at  Nempton,  that  he  never  failed  to  re- 
call peremptorily  his  thoughts  if  they  were  straying 
from  steadfast  fealty  to  her. 

"Miss  Alma  is  so  kind  and  good,"  he  whispered, 
"but—" 

A  culmination  of  these  concepts  and  reasonings 
occurred  early  on  a  bright  sunny  morning  of  June, 
causing  him  to  communicate  to  Mr.  Arlington  his 
purpose  to  go  away. 

"No,  my  boy,  not  away,"  urged  the  gentleman. 

"Yes,  I  must.    There  are  things  that  call  me." 

"Is  it  so?  This  is  a  surprise  to  me.  To  what 
place  are  you  going?" 

"Why,"  returned  Chester,  showing  embarrass- 
ment, "I  have  not  quite  determined,  but  think  I  shall 
go  on  to  California — Los  Angeles.  People  that  I 
know  are  there  and  I  want  to  meet  them." 

"Oh,  that's  better.  It  would  not  be  well  to  cast 
your  lot  in  a  strange  place  where  you  had  no 
.  acquaintances." 

Thus  he  prepared  the  way  for  his  departure.    A 

34 


CHESTER  BREATHED  HIS  LOVE  FOR  DOROTHY 

morning  or  two  after,  while  standing  on  the  porch 
looking  forth  on  the  beautiful  scenes  that  lay  out- 
stretched before  him,  Alma  came  near. 

* '  So  you  are  about  to  leave  us  and  make  your  home 
among  strangers,"  she  articulated,  in  halting  syl- 
lables which  manifested  an  unusual  vibrancy  and 
seemingly  conveyed  remonstrance  and  gentle  disap- 
probation. 

"Strangers?  Yes,  in  a  measure,  though  I  know 
one  family." 

"Do  you?    I  hope  you  may  find  a  home." 

"Home!"  he  repeated,  looking  with  a  wandering 
uncertainty  on  the  ground  and  continuing  with  his 
voice  dropped  to  a  soft  modulation,  as  if  he  were 
musing;  "I  had  a  home  once  and  a  mother.  She  was 
good — so  good — but  she  passed  away  when  I  was  a 
little  fellow — and — well,  I  have  never  been  cared  for 
since — never,  I  mean,  till  I  came  here." 

The  girl  smiled  and  her  eyes  gave  evidence  of  the 
pleasure  which  the  acknowledgement  afforded  her. 
After  a  moment  or  two  of  renewed  hesitation,  Ches- 
ter added : 

* '  You  have  been  very  kind  to  me,  Miss  Alma — you 
and  your  mother — kinder  than  I  deserved.  I  shall 
always  remember." 

*  *  Not  kinder  than  you  deserved.  No,  no, ' '  she  af- 
firmed, her  voice  betraying  a  tremor  which  she  could 
not  repress,  ' '  especially  when  it  is  remembered  that 
it  was  bestowed  upon  one  who  had — imperiled  his 
own  like  to  save  me  from  a  cruel  death,"  she  added 

89 


SHACKLES    CAST 

in  faltering  intonation,  which  became  for  a  moment 
inaudible.  "But  we  shall  be  glad  to  have  you  think 
of  us,"  she  resumed,  after  a  visible  effort. 

The  tears  were  now  trickling  silently  down  Alma's 
cheeks — and  Chester's,  too.  The  girl  turned  away. 

"I  can  never  forget,"  he  assured,  "never.  I  only 
wish  there  was  some  way  for  me  to  prove  my  grati- 
tude." 

Alma  moved  full  around  and  stood  facing  him. 

"But  the  time  may  come— 

"The  time  has  come,"  declared  the  girl — "and 
how  can  I  receive  greater  evidence  than  what  you 
have  given?" 

"Why  I  am  thinking  of  what  I  may  be  able- 
He  stopped.  A  thought  sprang  into  his  mind  that 
his  language  was  not  well  chosen.  A  distant  face 
bearing  a  semblance  of  chiding  seemed  to  rise  in  his 
consciousness.  He  looked  away,  his  eyes  again  bear- 
ing veiled  reticence  and  again  brimming  with  tears. 

"Do  not  trouble  yourself  with  that,"  entreated  his 
young  hostess.  "We  are  indebted  to  you.  Yet  it 
may  happen,  I  hope,  that  we  shall  meet  again — in- 
deed I  shall  expect  it." 

Chester  gave  a  quick  glance.  Liquid  pearls  were 
clinging  to  the  maiden's  silken  lashes. 

"They  tell  me  that  you  are  going  away  today," 
broke  in  Mrs.  Arlington,  who  unnoticed,  had  ap- 
proached them. 

"Yes,  Mrs.  Arlington.  I  am  soon  to  go  from  a 
home  where  I  have  been  happy — the  first  happiness 

36 


CHESTER  BREATHED  HIS  LOVE  FOR  DOROTHY 

I  have  known  since  my  mother  left  me — but  I  can 
never  forget." 

Moisture  again  suffused  his  eyelids  and  his  lip 
quivered. 

"  John  is  putting  the  team  on  the  carryall.  He  will 
take  you  to  the  train,"  evasively  replied  the  lady. 

A  few  minutes  more  and  the  parting  scene  was 
over.  When  Alma  had  taken  his  hand,  she  whirled 
quickly  around  and  disappeared.  The  boy,  overcome 
with  grief,  yet  governed  by  the  thought  that  he  must 
be  unerringly  true  to  Dorothy  Britt-Ernst,  turned 
slowly  from  the  little  company  and  climbed  into  the 
^vehicle,  which  immediately  started  on  its  way. 

From  the  mesa,  John  drove  down  to  the  river  bot- 
tom. Thence  for  some  distance  the  narrow  trail  led 
them  among  sycamore  and  pinon  trees,  with  here 
and  there  a  dwarf  cedar.  Leaving  the  forest  shades, 
they  drove  out  on  the  open  lowland  leading  to  the 
railway  station.  Chester  bought  transportation  and 
had  his  baggage  checked  to  Los  Angeles. 


37 


CHAPTER  V. 

CHESTER  ARDUOUSLY   TRIES   TO   REACH  DOROTHY. 

When  the  train  pulled  into  Los  Angeles,  Chester 
stepped  from  the  car-platform.  Casting  his  eyes 
down  the  track,  he  caught  sight  of  a  great  viaduct 
which  spans  the  numerous  steel-ribboned  roadbeds. 
Its  broad  passageway  was  alive  with  electro-motor 
cars  and  other  vehicles. 

A  little  later  he  left  the  railway  structure.  A  walk 
of  some  minutes  brought  him  away  from  the  most 
important  part  of  the  city.  He  stopped  at  a  res- 
taurant and  took  dinner.  When  passing  out  he  spoke 
to  the  cashier : 

1  'Do  you  know  a  man  in  this  place  by  the  name  of 
Strathmore  ? ' ' 

The  person  questioned  looked  around,  tapped  his 
head  with  a  pencil,  then  bawled  out : 

" Don't  know  any  such  party.  What  is  his  busi- 
ness?" 

* '  The  owner  of  a  lot  of  cattle — and  a  block  of  gold 
mine  stock." 

"Cattle!  You'll  have  to  go  out  on  the  range  to 
find  sich." 

Chester  turned  away.  Proceeding  leisurely,  he 
made  numerous  inquiries  concerning  the  Strath- 

38 


CHESTER  ARDUOUSLY  TRIES  TO  REACH  DOROTHY 

mores.  Late  in  the  afternoon,  he  found  himself  in 
front  of  Central  Park.  Halting,  he  looked  up  at  the 
towering  height  of  the  great  buildings  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  street.  A  trolley  car  crowded  to  the 
steps  with  passengers,  passed.  A  policeman  came 
near. 

"What  places  are  those?"  asked  the  young  man, 
pointing  across  the  roadway. 

"Them?  That's  the  Calif orny  Club;  tother's  the 
Auditorium. ' ' 

"Oh!  Do  you  know  a  family  by  the  name  of 
Strathmore?" 

' '  Never  heard  of  it.    What  are  they  engaged  in  ? " 

"The  lady  is  an  actress." 

"Actress!  There's  a  bunch  of  actors  over  there 
in  the  Auditorium.  You  might  find  out  among 
them." 

Chester  hastened  across  the  street  and  entered  the 
Auditorium  through  the  box  office.  Seeing  the  stage 
superintendent  arranging  details  for  the  evening's 
performance,  he  went  forward  and  spoke  to  him. 

*  *  I  am  trying  to  find  a  lady  by  the  name  of  Strath- 
more.  Before  marriage  she  was  Maggie  Britt- 
Ernst,  acting  with  the  Fitzgibbon  Company  when  it 
played  here  a  while  back. ' ' 

"Fitzgibbon  hasn't  been  here  ever  since — I  have 
forgotten  when. ' ' 

"And  the  lady,  Maggie  Britt-Ernst?  Do  you  re- 
member her?" 

' '  Not  at  all ;  so  it  isn  't  likely  that  I  can  recall  her. ' ' 

39 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"Is  she  in  Los  Angeles  now?" 

" Don't  know.  Go  into  the  box  office  and  look  in 
the  city  directory. ' ' 

Chester  did  this.  The  box  office  being  open  the 
ticket  seller  assisted  him.  The  name  Strathmore  was 
not  found. 

Entering  upon  a  sojourn  in  Los  Angeles,  he  made 
every  effort  to  find  the  Strathmores.  Failing,  in  a 
few  days  he  was  some  miles  distant  from  the  city,, 
on  the  ranch  of  a  man  named  Simpson,  with  whom 
he  had  accepted  employment.  He  remained  there 
some  time,  endeavoring  to  secure  from  new  acquaint- 
ances information  concerning  the  family  he  sought. 

On  a  certain  morning,  accompanied  by  two  of 
Simpson's  cowboys,  he  went  into  the  mountains  to 
search  for  strays.  Eiding  busily  all  day  long,  when 
evening  approached  the  three  were  tired.  Arrang- 
ing in  the  woodlands  for  a  resting-place  by  a  spring 
of  pure  water,  they  built  a  fire  and  prepared  some 
food.  When  darkness  settled  upon  them  they  hud- 
dled around  the  campfire  and  amused  themselves  by 
relating  stories.  While  this  was  going  on,  Chester 
happened  to  remark: 

"Wonder  if  those  half-dozen  steers  branded  *S' 
without  the  bowie,  ever  belonged  to  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Strathmore  ? ' ' 

"Don't  know,"  declared  Ed,  one  of  his  com- 
panions. "They  are  not  Simpson's,  for  they  don't 
have  'S'  and  the  hilted  sticker." 

"Strathmore,"  commented  Evans,  the  third  of  the 

40 


CHESTER  ARDUOUSLY  TRIES  TO  REACH  DOROTHY 

group,  "he  left  these  diggings  some  time  ago.  He's 
the  fellow  we  used  to  call  'Getmore'." 

"Why  so?"  requested  Chester. 

"Always  reaching1  out  for  more'n  belonged  to 
him." 

"Do  you  know  where  he  is  now?" 

"At  San  Diego.  Leastways  that's  what  I  heard 
after  he  went  away. ' ' 

On  the  next  day,  Chester  Fenton  was  a  passenger 
to  San  Diego.  Having  used  a  city  directory  at  Los 
Angeles,  as  soon  as  he  reached  his  destination,  he 
examined  at  once  the  corresponding  source  of  in- 
formation. The  name  was  not  there.  This  renewed 
failure  greatly  disturbed  him. 

"Am  I  never  to  find  Dorothy?"  he  cried  in  de- 
spair, "never?" 

For  days  he  inquired  for  those  for  whom  he  was 
in  search. 

He  had  been  in  the  city  for  a  week  or  more,  but 
success  had  not  rewarded  him.  One  evening  he 
chanced  to  be  in  an  outfitting  house  when  he  heard 
the  following  words  pass  between  two  of  the  em- 
ployes : 

"Was  them  goods  shipped  to  King  Oscar  today?" 
' '  King  Oscar  ?    What  are  you  giving  me  ? " 
"You  don't  know  the  king  of  San  Ysidra?    You 
are  a  good  one ! ' ' 

'  *  That  is  correct — I  'm  as  good  as  they  make  'em. ' ' 
"Then  you  ought  to  know  that  Oscar  Strathmore 

41 


SHACKLES    CAST 

is  called  the  king  of  the  island  of  San  Ysidra.  He 
gobbled  the  hull  thing!" 

"Excuse  me,"  broke  in  Chester,  "did  you  speak 
of  Oscar  Strathmore  ? " 

The  clerk  turned  and  for  a  moment  remained  si- 
lent. Then  in  a  manner  of  apparent  indifference,  he 
answered : 

"I  merely  spoke  of  him." 

"Will  you  please  tell  me  where  he  lives'?  I  have 
been  searching  for  him  and  am  glad  to  learn  he  is 
near  here." 

"Not  near — three  hundred  miles  or  more." 

' '  Indeed !    A  long  distance ! ' ' 

"I  should  say.  When  he  went  away  from  San 
Diego  he  scouted  around  Mexico  to  purchase  suit- 
able lands  that  he  might  have  a  big  ranch.  It  seems 
he  caught  on  an  island  not  far  from  the  shore.  It 
was  vacant — not  a  soul  living  there.  Being  beyond 
the  international  three-mile  limit,  he  squat  on  it  and 
claimed  it  by  first  occupation.  Still  he  is  said  to 
have  had  to  settle  with  the  Mexican  government." 

"It  sounds  like  romance,"  admired  Chester. 

"Sure.  He's  got  it  stocked  with  cattle  and  sheep. 
He  doesn  't  allow  outsiders  to  come  on  the  place. ' ' 

"Off  shore,"  commented  Fenton.  "Wonder  how 
you  get  there ! ' ' 

' '  He  keeps  a  steam  yacht. ' ' 

"How  often  does  he  come  to  the  mainland?" 

"Can't  say.    You  can  find  out  down  there." 

The  next  morning  Chester  was  on  his  way  to  San 

42 


CHESTER  ARDUOUSLY  TRIES  TO  REACH  DOROTHY 

Ysidra.  He  had  secured  all  the  information  pos- 
sible and  set  forth  determined  to  learn  the  rest  as 
quickly  as  time  and  circumstances  would  permit. 
Walking  from  sunrise  to  sunset  day  after  day,  stop- 
ping for  food  and  night-rest  at  such  ranches  as  he 
could  find,  he  labored  on  down  the  coast.  At  length, 
fatigued  and  worn  out,  he  reached  that  part  of  the 
shore  where  he  thought  the  island  of  San  Ysidra  lay. 
At  once  he  endeavored  to  find  some  one  to  give  him 
information.  Near  the  sea  he  found  the  adobe  hovel 
of  a  Mexican. 

"Where  is  Strathmore's  island!"  he  inquired. 

The  Mexican  shook  his  head. 

"San  Ysidra?"  again  spoke  Chester. 

The  peon  repeated  the  words  and  pointed  out  to 
sea.  That  was  all  the  explanation  he  obtained.  For 
a  day  or  two  he  roamed  about  to  learn  the  where- 
abouts of  the  island  and  the  means  of  reaching  it. 

Late  on  the  third  morning  he  found  an  American 
herder  who  was  grazing  a  flock  of  sheep  on  Mexican 
soil.  At  once  he  made  inquiry : 

"Does  the  island  San  Ysidra  lie  off  this  part  of 

the  coast!" 

"A  few  miles  south  of  here.    What  about  it!" 

"I  know  Strathmore — want  to  meet  him." 

"The  king  of  the  Lonelies!    You'll  find  it  a  snug 

job.    If  you  wait  until  he  comes  ashore,  you  might 

corner  him." 

"I  can  go  there  and  find  him,  I  suppose!" 

43 


SHACKLES    CAST 

1  *  Maybe — if  you  can  get  some  one  with  a  boat  to 
take  you  over." 

"Is  it  a  large  island?" 

"Six  or  eight  miles  square — fine  land  above  the 
cliffs.  He  brings  ashore  a  shipload  or  two  of  cattle 
and  sheep  every  year." 

"Does  hef    Piles  up  the  money." 

"He's  got  a  motor-launch — keeps  it  in  a  little  cov- 
ered place  in  a  small  inlet.  Come  up  the  hill  and  see 
the  island. ' ' 

From  the  summit  of  the  height  the  informant 
pointed  southwest: 

"See  that  dark  spot?  West  about  eight  miles 
south." 

In  the  direction  named,  a  low-lying  island  ap- 
peared in  full  view. 

' '  There  you  are, ' '  exclaimed  the  herder.  *  *  That 's 
the  realm  of  King  Oscar,  the  Lonely." 

Chester  soon  set  out  in  the  endeavor  to  reach  San 
Ysidra.  Proceeding  to  the  shoreline,  he  walked 
along  the  beach,  preferring  that  course  to  the  rough- 
er inland.  It  seemed  to  him  a  long  distance.  At 
length  he  came  to  a  spot  where  there  were  footprints 
and  a  wagon  trail  leading  from  the  shore. 

' '  This  is  the  landing  place, ' '  he  exclaimed. 

He  spent  the  rest  of  the  day  trying  to  find  the 
habitation  of  a  human  being,  but  he  failed.  As  night 
approached,  tired  and  hungry,  he  lay  down  on  the 
bare  ground  under  the  open  sky. 

Sleep  immediately  closed  his  eyelids  and  held  him 

44 


CHESTER  ARDUOUSLY  TRIES  TO  REACH  DOROTHY 

fast  until  the  morning  light  broke  upon  him.  Awak- 
ing, he  rose  to  a  sitting  posture.  He  looked  for  a 
while  toward  the  mountains,  then  out  upon  the  broad 
ocean : 

"No  breakfast!"  he  muttered.  "It's  no  use.  I 
must  keep  pegging  at  this  scramble.  Must  not  waste 
more  time." 

Springing  to  his  feet,  he  walked  toward  the  beach. 

"That's  no  good,"  he  exclaimed.  "Try,  try, 
again ! ' ' 

Turning  sharply  about,  he  started  once  more  on 
an  exploring  expedition,  going  southward  near  the 
sea.  When  he  had  gone  some  distance,  he  discovered 
an  old,  dingy-shaped  boat,  drawn  up  a  shallow  creek 
which  came  from  the  highlands  and  discharged  into 
the  ocean. 

"Wonder  where  I  can  find  the  owner?"  he  con- 
jectured. 

A  search  now  began  that  lasted  until  noon;  yet 
not  a  living  soul  could  be  found.  Going  back  to  the 
boat,  he  examined  it. 

' '  The  sea  is  quiet.  If.  there  were  any  oars  I  be- 
lieve that  I  could  reach  the  island." 

After  a  short  consideration,  he  drew  a  clasp-knife 
from  his  pocket  and  selecting  a  young  cedar-tree,  be- 
gan to  cut  it  down.  When  it  had  fallen,  he  cut  off  a 
proper  length  and  began  to  shave  away  the  rounded 
portion  to  make  it  oarlike  in  form.  He  had  given 
unremitting  effort  when  suddenly  he  stood  erect  and 
held  the  pared-away  sapling  at  arm's  length. 

45 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"There  it  is,"  he  cried.  "I  can  make  it  send  me 
across." 

Having  detached  the  boat  from  its  fastening,  he 
worked  it  down  the  narrow  creek  to  the  sea,  using 
his  implement  as  a  push-pole;  then  transferring  it 
to  the  stern,  he  converted  it  into  a  single  scull. 

1  *  Now,  Dorothy,  I  am  coming ! ' ' 

The  advance,  however,  was  slow;  yet  he  kept 
patiently  weaving  back  and  forth  his  unhandy  in- 
strument of  propulsion.  Hour  after  hour  passed; 
and  for  a  long  time  San  Ysidra  seemed  to  keep  its 
distance.  The  sun  was  near  the  horizon  when  he  was 
able  to  see  at  all  clearly  the  rocky,  broken  surface 
of  the  island  border  which  lay  not  far  from  him. 
With  renewed  courage  he  worked  the  scull.  The 
wind  began  to  rise  from  the  mainland  and  drive  him 
forward.  The  water,  too,  was  swelling  into  billows 
dangerous  for  his  crazy  little  craft. 

"Let  it  whistle,"  he  exclaimed.  "I'll  get  there, 
sure. ' ' 

At  last  the  breeze  became  what  seamen  call 
"fresh,"  and  while  it  sometimes  tossed  him  violent- 
ly, he  seemed  well  satisfied,  since  it  assisted  his  ef- 
fort to  reach  San  Ysidra.  -  The  shores  of  the  latter 
began  to  loom  large  in  the  fading  light  of  the  day. 

"I'll  make  it  before  dark,"  he  muttered,  "then — " 

He  became  silent.  Just  where  or  in  what  temper 
he  might  find  the  residents  of  the  isolated  highland, 
were  questions  he  could  not  answer. 

"Maybe  luck  will  help  me,"  he  faltered  in  sup- 

48 


CHESTER   ARDUOUSLY   TRIES   TO   REACH    DOROTHY 

pressed  tone,  "and  the  Fates  may  let  me  see  Doro- 
thy." 

Looking  up  at  the  forbidding  rocks  that  rose  above 
the  water,  he  fancied  that  he  heard  a  voice.  Stand- 
ing up  in  his  rickety  shallop,  he  listened,  scanning 
closely  the  shoreline. 

"There  is  some  one  on  the  crag,"  he  cried.  "Some- 
body waving  a  signal.  I  am  warned  to  go  south." 

"All  right !"  he  shouted  back.  "I  will  go  the  way 
you  point. ' ' 

The  figure  now  stood  back  a  little  but  still  seemed 
to  watch  the  moving  boat  and  continued  to  wave  a 
handkerchief  toward  the  south. 

"I  thought  it  looked  mighty  slim  for  a  landing  in 
this  spot,"  exclaimed  Chester,  as  he  swung  his  cap 
back  and  forth  in  answering  recognition,  while  he 
strenuously  endeavored  to  force  his  refractory  ves- 
sel in  the  direction  indicated. 

A  difficult  task  presented  itself.  His  oar  was 
clumsy  and  he  had  to  work  his  way  against  the  driv- 
ing force  of  the  wind. 

"It  is  going  to  beat  me!"  he  cried  out,  as  with 
every  atom  of  strength  which  the  energetic  work  of 
the  day  had  left  him,  he  cut  the  water  to  the  right 
and  the  left. 

The  figure  on  the  rocks  had  moved  along  and  was 
then  looking  down  on  him  from  an  advanced  point. 

"You  can  land  a  litle  farther  along,"  a  voice  called 
so  that  he  could  just  hear  it.  "Try  to  keep  off  the 
rocks. ' ' 

47 


SHACKLES    CAST 

He  did  try — tried  with  every  ounce  of  force  he 
could  place  on  his  improvised  oar.  At  last,  in  spite 
of  his  unremitting  endeavor,  his  boat  began  to  beat 
against  the  rock-bound  cliffs. 

"It's  all  up,"  he  panted,  using  his  stick  as  a  means 
to  fend  him  off  the  precipitous  headlands  and  to 
work  toward  the  south. 

In  this  he  succeded  for  a  time ;  but  a  moment  was 
reached  when  a  large  wave  came  and  flung  high  the 
frail  bark,  driving  it  against  the  immovable  pali- 
sades and  completely  smashing  its  starboard  bow. 
It  fell  back  a  wreck,  bottom  upwards.  The  youth- 
freed  himself  from  the  debris  and  swam  away  from 
the  rocks  toward  the  sea. 

"Guess  I'm  done  for,"  he  intoned. 

' '  Come  here, ' '  called  a  voice.  ' '  You  can  climb  up 
this  place." 

Turning,  he  struck  out  in  the  direction  of  the  call. 
On  the  shore,  a  trench,  resulting  from  the  downpour 
of  ages,  descended  from  the  highland  to  the  water. 
At  the  base,  the  detritus  spread  in  a  fanlike  form 
out  into  the  deep.  Reaching  the  place  by  quick, 
skillful  effort,  he  escaped  from  the  battering  of  the 
waves  and  stood  at  last  on  the  rough,  broken  surface 
at  the  feet  of  the  trough. 

In  the  dim  light  which  was  fast  merging  into  dark- 
ness, he  made  his  way  over  the  accumulated  sand, 
gravel  and  rock-fragments,  falling  at  times  despite 
his  careful  endeavor.  Coming  to  the  narrow  way 

43 


CHESTER   ARDUOUSLY   TRIES   TO   REACH    DOROTHY 

leading  upward,  he  began  the  tedious  process  of 
scrambling  to  the  mesa. 

"To  the  right— a  little  to  the  right!"  directed  the 
guide. 

That  it  was  a  woman's  voice  now  became  evident 
to  Chester.  Looking  up,  he  called  back: 

"Thank  you.    I  will." 

It  was  a  hard  task.  Sloping  portions  were  fre- 
quently met  by  abrupt  or  even  perpendicular  drops 
which  in  times  of  rainfall  caused  miniature  cata- 
racts. Bruised  and  sore,  at  length  he  drew  himself 
out  upon  the  even  surface  at  the  mouth  of  the  ascent. 


49 


CHAPTER  VI. 

FENTON  AGREES  TO  BE  A  CUBAN  SOLDIER. 

When  Chester  had  risen  to  his  feet,  he  gazed  at 
the  fair  girl  who  stood  before  him: 

*  *  Dorothy ! ' '  he  exclaimed.    *  *  Oh,  Dorothy ! ' ' 
In  surprise,  the  maid  retreated  a  step  or  two. 
"Who?— I  cannot  say  who  you  are,"  she  hesi- 
tated. 

"I  am  Chester  Fenton.  I  met  you  a  long  time  ago 
at  the  Bierwirth  Opera  House,  Nempton — and  ever 
since  I  have  longed  to  see  you. ' ' 

"0-h-h!"  she  thrilled.  "Now  I  know.  I  have 
often  wondered  what  became  of  you." 

"I,  too,  have  wondered  where  you  were  and  wished 
that  I  might  meet  you  again  and — well,  I  have  tried 
and  tried  to  learn  of  your  whereabouts — always 
meeting  failure  until  now." 

"Indeed!  Then  you  did  sometimes  remember 
me." 

*  *  Remember !    I  never  forgot  for  a  day — for  a  min- 
ute— and  at  last,"  he  continued,  his  voice  quivering, 
"at  last  I  find  you." 

"Pardon  me,"  replied  Dorothy,  recovering  her- 
self. "You  are  drenched  with  the  sea.  Let  us  go 

50 


FENTON  AGREES  TO  BE  A  CUBAN  SOLDIER 

home  to  see  my  mother.  You  must  have  dry  cloth- 
ing." 

Going  houseward,  for  a  while,  they  walked  along 
narrow  paths  through  forest-growth.  Occasionally 
they  spoke  of  the  past;  for  being  strongly  excited, 
Chester's  dripping  and  fatigued  condition  counted 
for  naught. 

Passing  from  the  woodlands,  they  entered  a  palm 
grove,  in  the  midst  of  which  stood  a  large  residence 
built  of  hewn  logs. 

"This  is  our  home,"  she  began,  a  sweet  smile 
beaming  from  her  features.  '  *  We  have  lived  here  for 
two  years.  I  often  walk  out  on  the  seashore.  I  saw 
you  a  long  time  before  you  reached  the  island." 

'  *  Did  you  ?  If  I  had  known  it  I  would  have  worked 
harder  than  I  did  while  in  the  boat. ' ' 

When  they  arrived  at  the  house,  Dorothy  led  him 
through  the  passageway  into  a  large,  airy  apart- 
ment: 

"Sit  here,  Mr.  Fenton,  while  I  find  mama." 

"Thank  you,"  replied  Chester,  taking  the  prof- 
fered chair. 

The  girl  hastened  away  in  search  of  her  parent. 
Soon  she  reappeared,  followed  by  Mrs.  Strathmore. 

"Here  he  is,  mama.  He  was  rowing  on  the  east 
side  when  a  wave  threw  his  boat  against  the  rocks 
and  smashed  it." 

"Indeed!  And  why  were  you  in  a  boat  so  far 
from  the  mainland?" 

"Why  I  was  coming — " 

51 


SHACKLES    CAST 

He  stopped;  a  suitable  explanation  was  not  clear 
to  his  understanding. 

"Coming?    For  what  purpose,  sir?" 

"It  seems,  mama,  that  he  was  connected  with  the 
opera  house  at  Nempton  when  we  were  there.  Late- 
ly he  learned  that  we  lived  on  San  Ysidra,  so  he  ven- 
tured to  come  over. ' ' 

"Is  that  it?"  remarked  the  lady,  surprise  mani- 
festing itself  in  every  utterance. 

For  a  moment  irresolute,  she  presently  spoke :  "I 
will  see  Stephen.  He  is  about  this  young  man 's  size 
and  has  some  extra  clothing. ' ' 

Chester  was  then  eighteen  years  of  age. 

It  was  but  a  short  time  before  Mrs.  Strathmore 
obtained  suitable  garments ;  and  the  young  man  was 
at  once  arrayed  in  a  suit  of  dry  clothes  belonging 
to  Stephen  Chance,  an  employe  of  the  island  ranch. 

After  this  change  had  been  effected,  he  was  con- 
ducted to  the  dining  room  where  the  lady  introduced 
him  to  Mr.  Strathmore,  a  tall  gentleman  of  athletic 
build.  Some  explanation  had  been  given  to  him  con- 
cerning his  presence  on  San  Ysidra.  Nevertheless, 
he  regarded  Chester  in  a  manner  not  pleasant,  eye- 
ing every  detail  of  his  person  so  closely  as  to  render 
the  inspection  discomforting. 

"Let  me  see,  Mr.  - 

"Fenton,"  reminded  Mrs.  Strathmore. 

"Yes,  Fenton— Chester  Fenton.  From  where  do 
you  hail  ? "  he  inquired. 

"I  stopped  at  San  Diego— in  the  city  a  few  days." 

52 


FENTON  AGREES  TO  BE  A  CUBAN  SOLDIER 

*  *  San  Diego  ?    Did  you  meet  Chief  Nettles  T ' ' 
" Chief  Nettles?" 

' '  Head  of  the  police  department. ' ' 

' '  No,  sir, ' '  returned  the  young  man,  drawing  back 
a  step  or  two,  evidently  disconcerted  by  the  course 
of  the  conversation. 

The  questioner  turned  away,  setting  the  easy 
chair,  from  which  he  had  arisen,  up  to  the  table. 

"He's  a  great  fellow  to  get  his  eye  on  strangers," 
affirmed  Strathmore.  "Sit  there?"  he  added,  point- 
ing to  a  chair  placed  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  din- 
ing board. 

Chester  took  the  seat  to  which  he  was  directed; 
but  the  train  of  conversation  had  been  of  such  a 
nature  that  although  this  was  his  first  meal  during 
the  day,  he  ate  but  little.  Strathmore  pushed  many 
articles  towards  him;  yet  they  remained  untouched. 

"Eat,  young  man,  eat,"  urged  the  chief  of  the 
island.  "You  can't  keep  up  the  activity  of  your  or- 
ganism unless  you  provide  fuel." 

"I  have  had  sufficient,"  assured  Fenton. 

"Huh!"  intoned  the  other,  "  a  pittance  you 
mean." 

On  the  next  morning,  Dorothy  whispered  to  him : 

*  *  Come,  and  I  will  show  you  some  of  the  beautiful 
things  that  surround  our  home. ' ' 

With  pleasure  beaming  on  every  line  of  his  coun- 
tenance, he  followed.  The  girl  first  conducted  him 
among  the  rare  shrubs  and  flowers  whose  planting 

53 


SHACKLES    CAST 

and  sowing  had  been  arranged  by  a  landscape  gar- 
dener from  San  Francisco. 

"It  is  all  beautiful,"  he  exclaimed.  "A  lovely 
place  to  live." 

"Yes,"  assented  the  girl.  "Yet  I  cannot  say  that 
I  have  been  so  happy  as  I  was  before  I  came  here. 
It  has  seemed  lonesome,"  she  added,  resting  her 
eyes  on  Chester,  causing  his  heart  to  tingle  with 
emotion. 

"Of  course,"  he  softly  articulated,  "I,  too,  have 
been  lonesome — except  for  one  thing,"  he  averred, 
seizing  her  hand.  "That  one  thing,  Dorothy,  has 
been  you.  Wherever  I  have  been,  your  dear  face 
has  cheered  me — has  kept  me  from  grim  shadows 
by  the  remembrance  of  its  smiles." 

"This  is  very  pleasant  to  hear — but  how  am  I  to 
know  about  it  f " 

"Dorothy,"  he  exclaimed,  with  rising  ardor,  "you 
have  been  all  there  is  on  earth  for  me — I  have  never 
thought  of  any  other." 

"No  one  else?" 
—"None — and  for  a  long  time  I  have  sought  you." 

"You  wanted  to  find  me?" 

"You  and  you  alone.  Existence  had  no  enchant- 
ment for  me  save  as  it  was  associated  with  you. ' ' 

"It  is  long  since  I  saw  you." 

"Because  I  did  not  know  where  to  find  you.  Let 
the  risk  I  ran  yesterday  bear  me  witness." 

"And  it  will — surely  will,"  she  assured,  extend- 
ing her  hand. 

54 


FENTON  AGREES  TO  BE  A  CUBAN  SOLDIER 

Ardently  he  grasped  it,  raising  the  delicately 
molded  member  to  his  lips,  pressing  them  upon  it. 

"You  have  thought  of  me,"  she  murmured,  let- 
ting her  fingers  close  gently  upon  his  own. 

"Thought  of  you — always,  Dorothy.  Dear  Doro- 
thy," he  cried,  impulsively  putting  his  arm  about 
her  waist,  "you  have  been  my  light,  my  inspiration 
night  and  day." 

"Do  you  love  me?"  she  whispered. 

"So  much,  Dorothy — my  Dorothy,  life  is  worth 
nothing  to  me  unless  I  can  share  it  with  you. ' ' 

She  held  up  a  sweet  little  mouth  and  placing  a 
hand  on  his  shoulder,  looked  upon  him  with  a  degree 
of  tenderness  of  which  she  alone  was  capable.  Ches- 
ter was  well-night  beside  himself  with  rapture,  and 
he  kissed  her  again  and  again,  she  making  shy  re- 
sponse. 

Of  the  transport  of  the  hour,  the  pen  cannot  ade- 
quately speak.  When  the  young  people  came  home 
at  noontide,  their  faces  bore  a  charm  of  unspeakable 
happiness;  indeed,  Chester's  eyes  glowed  with  a 
light  so  full  of  bliss  that  the  mother  could  not  fail 
to  notice  it.  She  saw,  but  was  silent.  What  the  fa- 
ther thought  was  veiled  with  a  medley  of  remarks 
on  various  subjects,  and  if  the  young  man  had  been 
disposed  to  attempt  an  analysis  of  Strathmore's 
silent  cogitations,  he  would  have  utterly  failed. 

"Been  taking  in  the  island?"  lightly  spoke  the 
father. 

55 


5  H  A  C  KI_Z  S 

"Yes,"  replied  the  youth,  his  face  aglow.  "It's 
afl  so  beautiful." 

Two  or  three  days  of  enchantment  followed.  Ches- 
ter dwelt  in  a  realm  of  bliss;  everything  with  which 
he  came  in  contact  was  golden,  every  hour  breathed 
charm.  On  the  fourth  morning,  Strathmore  called 
to  him: 

"Fenton,  step  this  way." 

He  obeyed.  King  Oscar  led  him  to  a  seat  beneath 
a  spreading  mesquite  tree. 

"Young  man,"  he  began.  "I  see  what's  going 
on.  So  far  as  I  know,  I  have  no  objection  to  your 
out  my  daughter.  Dorothy,  for  the  purpose 


of  mating  love  to  her.  God  Almighty  arranged 
those  things  and  marriage  is  only  a  carrying  out 
of  his  plans.  But  you  are  both  too  young  for  com- 
pleting such  arrangements." 

"I  -  "  began  Chester. 

The  speaker  held  up  his  hand  and  went  on: 

"When  I  pass  into  the  realm  of  the  unknown, 
Dorothy  will  have  this  island  of  San  Ysidra.  There's 
plenty  of  work  here  for  you  to  engage  in  now,  but 
that  would  not  do.  You  must  go  off  and  do  some- 
thing; then  come  back,  talk  of  marriage,  and  yon 
shall  be  taken  care  of  .  See?" 

"Yes,"  slowly  replied  Chester,  speaking  with  ap- 
parent difficulty,  "of  course,  I  know  that  I  must 
make  myself  worthy  of  Dorothy  -  '  ' 

"That's  well  said,"  declared  the  elder,  "well 
said." 


FEXTOX  AGREES  TO  BE  A  CUBAN  SOLDIER 

"Yes,  Mr.  Strathmore;  but  I  love  her  very  much. 
You  11  let  me  have  her,  will  you  notf " 

"Just  as  I  have  talked.  After  awhile  you  may 
claim  her." 

"Very  well,  Mr.  Strathmore.  First  I  will  accomp- 
lish something." 

"That 'sail  right   Both  should  be  older." 

For  a  moment  the  young  man  bent  his  eyes  upon 
the  ground,  then  raising  them,  he  began  to  speak 
again: 

"After  the  Maine  was  blown  up  by  the  Spaniards, 
there  was  much  talk  of  war.  Congress  made  a  large 
appropriation  for  the  national  defense." 

" Well  what  of  itf " 

"Just  before  I  came  here  the  rumors  that  a  con- 
flict with  Spain  was  at  hand,  had  so  increased  that 
it  seemed  inevitable." 

"That  is  true — in  a  measure." 

"Suppose  it  happens;  will  you  be  satisfied  if  I  go 
to  the  front  and  earn  some  standing  for  myself?" 

"War!  Why  if  you  go  and  show  that  you  have 
got  sand — carry  yourself  as  a  man  should,  you  may 
come  back  and  have  my  consent  to  go  ahead." 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  panted  Chester,  grasping  the 
great  hand  of  the  King  of  the  Lonelies.  "I  will 
t-arn  it,  I  pledge  you." 

This  afternoon,"  continued  Strathmore,  "I  will 
take  yon  across  to  the  mainland.  Then  you  can 
make  your  start." 

Xot  long  afterwards  the  young  man  was  with 

n 


SHACKLES    CAST 

Dorothy  in  the  arbor,  where  he  had  announced  his 
love.  The  whole  field  of  discussion  with  Mr.  Strath- 
more  was  gone  over  and  the  plans  of  Chester  were 
added : 

"What  do  you  think  of  it,  Dorothy  dear!"  the 
youth  asked. 

Tears  were  on  the  girl's  cheeks  and  she  faltered: 

"I  don't  know.  I  hope  it  is  for  the  best — but  sup- 
pose you  are  killed?" 

As  the  last  words  passed  her  lips  she  burst  into 
convulsive  sobbing. 

"Dear,  Dorothy,"  breathed  Chester,  clasping  the 
girl  to  his  heart.  "Sweet,  sweet,  Dorothy,  I  shall 
come  back." 

The  fair  young  being  nestled  closely  to  his  bosom. 

"Dorothy,  dear,  best  of  all,  I  will  win  a  name  for 
you,  I  will,  dear  one." 

The  record  will  draw  a  veil  over  the  parting  scene, 
yet  it  was  full  of  tender,  winning  pathos  to  those 
hearts  which  were  beating  in  gentle,  sympathetic 
harmony. 

That  afternoon  Strathmore  took  Chester  to  the 
landing  place. 

"Good-by,  Mr.  Strathmore.  Writing  to  you,  I 
will  explain  my  efforts. ' ' 

* '  All  right.    I  shall  expect  you  to  keep  me  posted. ' ' 


58 


CHAPTER  VII. 

ROUGH   RIDER   UNDER   COL.    ROOSEVELT. 

On  landing,  Chester  went  as  quickly  as  possible 
to  San  Diego.  This  was  a  wearisome  journey;  for 
he  walked  so  persistently  that  he  well-nigh  made 
himself  lame.  When  he  had  mastered  the  distance, 
he  inquired  of  a  person  he  met  concerning  the  status 
of  the  threatened  war  with  Spain. 

"She's  on,"  declared  the  man  questioned. 

1  *  Is  that  so  1    The  war  has  actualy  begun  ? ' ' 

"The  declaration  was  made  the  day  before  yes- 
terday— and  there's  a  rush  all  around  of  fellows 
who  want  to  fight." 

Hurrying  into  San  Diego  he  sought  further  infor- 
mation. From  anxious  inquiry  and  writing,  he 
learned  that  three  regiments  of  cavalry,  composed 
of  expert  riders  and  marksmen  of  the  west,  were  to 
be  organized.  The  First  United  States  Volunteer 
Cavalry  was  to  be  taken  charge  of  by  Leonard  Wood 
and  Theodore  Roosevelt.  The  mustering  places  of 
the  regiment  were  appointed  in  New  Mexico,  Ari- 
zona, Oklahoma  and  Indiaq  Territory.  Yet  to  ob- 
tain recruits  in  the  region  surrounding  Los  Ange- 
les, a  man  of  ability  had  opened  an  office  in  that  ctiy. 

He  hastened  at  once  to  Los  Angeles  and  asked 

59 


SHACKLES    CAST 

to  be  enrolled  as  a  member  of  the  First  United 
States  Volunteer  Cavalry. 

' l  No  one  is  accepted  unless  he  is  fully  competent, ' J 
replied  the  recruiter. 

' '  State  what  you  mean. ' ' 

"He  must  be  able  to  score  on  a  man's  head  with 
a  thirty-eight  revolver  at  fifty  yards,  or  a  rifle  at 
eight  hundred — and  he  must  be  capable  to  keep  his 
seat  on  a  bronco  that's  up  to  tricks — regular  cross- 
tote — and  must  be  physically  qualified. ' ' 

"I  can  do  all  you  say,"  asserted  Chetser,  "and 
I  am  bodily  able. ' ' 

1 '  Very  well.  Tomorrow  morning  you  will  be  given 
a  chance  with  some  others  to  prove  it." 

"All  right.    Come  here?" 

"Yes;  we'll  then  go  out  to  the  select  spot." 

Early  on  the  following  day,  Chester  was  upon  the 
trial  grounds.  He  was  handed  a  thirty-eight  revol- 
ver with  loaded  chambers.  After  posting  him  at 
fifty  yards  from  the  target,  the  master  of  ceremonies 
called  out : 

"Ready!" 

Then  followed  the  test.  At  count  "two"  the  per- 
son on  trial  was  allowed  to  drop  his  weapon  and  take 
sight  at  the  target;  to  fire  when  the  word  "three" 
was  called.  In  pistol  practice,  Chester  had  unusual 
power.  He  never  sighted  along  his  firearm,  but  sim- 
ply dropped  it  and  took  an  intuitive  and  instantan- 
eous aim;  yet  it  failed  not  to  surpass  that  of  many 
who  took  careful  sightings. 

60 


ROUGH  RIDER  UNDER  COL.  ROOSEVELT 

The  count  for  the  test  began :  '  *  one — two — three. ' ' 

With  the  last  word,  Fenton  fired ;  piercing  the  tar- 
get at  the  edge  of  the  bulls-eye. 

There  was  a  clapping  of  hands  from  several  of 
those  who  were  looking  on.  The  counting  proceeded 
for  the  remaining  five  shots.  The  record  showed  one 
center  and  the  others  circling  a  diameter  of  four 
inches.  The  rifle  test  resulted  in  a  record  of  equal 
superiority. 

* '  Well  done ! "  set  forth  the  trial  master. 

In  horsemanship  the  youth  also  proved  himself 
to  be  an  expert.  When  all  was  over,  the  recruiting 
agent  turned  to  him  and  declared : 

"You  are  accepted  as  A,  number  one — at  this  end 
of  the  line.  You'll  pass  your  physical  examination 
at  the  regimental  rendevouz. ' ' 

In  the  course  of  a  few  days,  the  man  in  charge  of 
the  recruits  called  them  together. 

"Well,  boys,"  he  announced,  "the  Volunteer  First 
is  ordered  to  gather  at  San  Antonio,  Texas.  So 
get  ready  for  a  start  tomorrow  morning. ' ' 

A  rousing  cheer  was  the  response. 

"Do  we  meet  our  bosses  when  we  git  thar?"  de- 
manded a  cowboy;  who  standing  six  feet  in  height, 
was  topped  with  a  tall-crowned  Mexican  sombrero, 
while  in  his  hands  he  carried  a  rifle  which  was  sup- 
plemented by  a  six-shooter  in  a  case  attached  to  his 
belt. 

"You  will.  Leonard  Wood  and  Theodore  Roose- 
velt will  be  there  as  soon  as  you  are." 

61 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"Bully!"  cheered  the  inquirer.  "We  are  crazy 
to  meet  Roosevelt ! ' ' 

"I  should  say  so.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Eoosevelt 
is  one  of  the  best  men  on  earth.  He  watches  care- 
fully for  everything  that  is  right.  He  has  been  an 
excellent  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  With 
great  energy  he  has  done  much  to  prepare  the  navy 
for  war — has  secured  coaling  ships  and  transports 
—has  put  the  warships  into  active  practice  for  skill- 
ful maneuvering  and  gunnery." 

"Good — and  now  he's  going  down  to  the  war  front 
himself ! ' ' 

"To  serve  his  country  and  help  Cuba — to  set  it 
free — to  carry  out  the  righteous  doctrine  he  has 
preached  for  years.  That's  the  boss  you've  got!" 

"JHow  splendid!"  chimed  Chester  Fenton. 

"Well,  I  reckon,"  supplemented  the  cowboy. 
"Let's  all  of  us  give  three  times  three  hurrahs!" 

The  shouts  of  applause  rang  through  the  office 
and  out  upon  the  street.  Many  residents  of  the  city 
came  running  in,  being  delighted  when  told  the 
cause.  The  chatting  which  followed  was  free  and 
praiseworthy. 

"Roosevelt  is  the  foremost  type  of  American  cit- 
izenship," exclaimed  one  of  the  incomers,  "distin- 
guished for  honesty,  courage  and  ability.  Willing 
to  give  up  his  life  to  elevate  the  people  and  delight- 
fully advance  their  interests." 

"Joy  and  no  mistake!"  jubilated  the  cowboy. 

62 


ROUGH  RIDER  UNDER  COL.  ROOSEVELT 

"Yes.  Shan't  I  be  happy  to  be  with  him,"  hailed 
another  recruit. 

On  the  morrow,  the  sixth  day  of  May,  the  recruits 
assembled  at  Los  Angeles  to  set  out  for  San  An- 
tonio, Texas,  to  join  the  regiment. 

When  the  entire  command  reached  that  rendevouz, 
it  was  found  that  the  supplies  from  Washington  had 
not  arrived.  Consequently,  the  Volunteer  First  was 
without  tents,  food,  clothing  and  arms.  Roosevelt 
was  very  active  and  made  energetic  efforts  to  se- 
cure comfort  for  the  men.  The  old  Exposition  build- 
ing was  obtained  for  use  as  quarters,  while  he  pro- 
cured blankets  and  food,  abundantly  supplying  the 
troopers. 

"The  camp  moves  like  a  boss  roundup,"  rapped 
out  a  ranchman  from  Socorro,  New  Mexico. 

"Our  commander,  Roosevelt,"  approved  Fenton, 
"is  a  wonderfully  good  man." 

"He's  a  grand  patriot,"  affirmed  Steve  Willis, 
from  Arizona. 

"Bet  your  last  blue  on  it,"  responded  a  comrade. 

"I'll  slap  down  a  stack  of  reds,"  declared  the 
New  Mexican. 

Contentment  reigned  and  the  soldiers  busied 
themselves  to  make  the  camp  resonant  with  the  fun 
characteristic  of  cowboy  gatherings  in  the  great,  un- 
trammeled  west. 

The  Rough  Riders,  as  everybody  now  began  to 
name  them,  comprised  men  of  wide  difference  in 
ability  and  financial  standing.  Yet  all  were  brave, 

'  63 


SHACKLES    CAST 

having  spirits  most  adventurous  and  intrepid.  Theo- 
dore Koosevelt  had  secured  for  them  Krag-Jorgen- 
sen  rifles,  superior  to  all  others,  and  instead  of  the 
sabers,  first-class  revolvers,  for  these  two  weapons 
were  of  their  natural  use. 

All  the  regimental  members  enjoyed  San  Antonio 
because  of  its  attractiveness — and  still  further,  be- 
cause of  cordial  fraternity  from  the  citizens.  The 
hygienic  provisions  and  police  requirements  of  the 
camp  were  excellent.  The  drill  of  the  troops  in  all 
conditions  of  close  and  open  order,  skirmishing  and 
firing,  were  vigorously  pursued  every  day. 

"Is  not  Roosevelt  a  perfect  leader?"  beamed 
Hamilton  Fish  to  a  party  of  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers who  were  taking  up  military  instruction  in  an 
evening  school. 

"Well  he  is,"  affirmed  another.  "He  has  organ- 
ized the  Bough  Eiders  in  fine  form,  is  guiding  and 
instructing  them  to  become  the  most  picturesque 
and  capable  soldiers  in  the  volunteer  army. ' ' 

"True,"  assured  Captain  Allyn  Capron  who 
heard  the  conversation.  "Theodore  Eoosevelt  re- 
signed a  high  position  in  Washington  to  raise  this 
regiment — and  to  offer  his  own  life  for  his  beloved 
country. ' ' 

In  addition  to  non-commissioned  instruction, 
there  was  an  officers '  school  every  night  for  the  pur- 
pose of  developing  a  high  standard  of  miltarism. 

Chester  Fenton  had  been  made  a  sergeant  and 
was  resolutely  performing  his  whole  duty  and  do- 

64 


ROUGH  RIDER  UNDER  COL.  ROOSEVELT 

ing  all  things  possible  to  make  himself  a  good  and 
serviceable  soldier. 

Day  after  day  Koosevelt  sent  letters  and  tele- 
grams to  the  War  Department  and  the  President 
endeavoring  to  have  the  regiment  sent  to  the  front 
as  speedily  as  possible. 

Although  it  was  warm  weather,  the  earth  having 
a  dry  and  dusty  surface,  work  was  continued  day 
and  night  to  bring  the  regiment  into  proper  knowl- 
edge and  soldierly  form.  Roosevelt  was  most  ac- 
tive, yet  conducted  himself  very  kindly  towards  all 
his  men.  At  night,  with  nothing  more  than  poncho 
and  blankets,  he  slept  among  them  in  a  common  shel- 
ter tent. 

On  the  third  Sunday  in  camp,  the  regiment  as- 
sembled for  religious  services.  All  the  Riders  con- 
ducted themselves  admirably.  Chester  Fenton  led 
a  squad  of  singers.  As  he  had  a  rich  baritone  voice, 
he  sang  the  beginning  of  each  stanza  of  the  hymn 
"Onward  Christian  Soldiers,"  as  a  solo,  all  taking 
part  in  the  chorus. 

"That  was  so  well  and  so  sympathetically  ren- 
dered that  it  deeply  affected  many  of  the  hearers," 
declared  Roosevelt  to  the  chaplain,  near  whom  he 
was  sitting. 

The  chaplain  bowed  his  head  in  reply. 

"My  dear  men,"  enthused  the  Lieutenant  Colonel, 
as  he  walked  in  front  of  them.  "God  bless  you  all." 

Before  the  breaking  up  of  camp  preparatory  to 
going  to  Tampa,  the  following  incident  occurred: 

65 


SHACKLES    CAST 

A  short  time  before  dress  parade,  by  a  chance  un- 
explained, Theodore  Roosevelt's  high  spirited  horse 
had  bounded  away  from  its  attendant.  Dashing 
over  the  ground  from  left  to  right,  then  back  toward 
the  starting  point,  it  arrested  the  attention  of  the 
whole  camp;  moreover,  the  cavalry  horses  on  every 
side  pulled  hard  on  their  restraining  straps  in  an 
effort  to  join  the  runaway. 

Chester  with  his  mount  ready  for  parade,  was  in 
front  of  his  tent.  Instantly  he  remembered  that 
a  lariat  was  hanging  from  the  central  pole.  Slip- 
ping from  his  horse,  he  reached  inside  and  grasped 
it.  Throwing  it  over  the  pommel  of  his  saddle,  with 
a  single  leap  from  the  ground  he  reached  his  seat 
and  galloped  at  top  speed  toward  the  line  of  the 
flight  of  Koosevelt's  charger. 

'  *  The  sergeant  will  get  him, ' '  assured  a  tent  mate. 

"He's  a  dandy  with  the  lasso!"  supplemented  an- 
other. 

As  Chester  rode,  maintaing  a  magnificent  seat,  he 
lightly  used  his  knees  to  guide  the  animal  which  bore 
him,  while  he  employed  his  hands  in  the  adjustment 
of  the  leathern  rope. 

"Say,  that  khaki  and  the  white  chevrons  show  up 
good,"  commented  Joe  Wilson,  a  soldier  in  Fenton's 
troop.  "I'm  glad  he  was  made  a  sergeant." 

"I  should  grin?"  confirmed  a  comrade. 

"Sure — or  have  a  jolly  laugh!" 

Fenton  had  sped  on  in  a  direction  at  an  appro- 
priate angle.  When  at  a  suitable  distance,  he  cast 

66 


ROUGH  RIDER  UNDER  COL.  ROOSEVELT 

the  lariat  with  unerring  aim,  securing  the  animal 
around  the  base  of  the  neck.  Handling  his  own 
horse  with  skill,  he  caused  the  other  to  fall,  so  that 
pursuing  cavalrymen  came  up  and  took  possession 
of  him. 

"Well  done,"  tendered  Eoosevelt,  shaking  hands 
with  Chester. 


67 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  ROUGH  EIDERS  PROCEED  TO  CUBA. 

On  May  the  twenty-ninth,  the  Routh  Riders  were 
ordered  by  wire  to  proceed  by  railway  from  San 
Antonio  to  Tampa.  The  regiment,  with  its  horses, 
filled  seven  trains.  Through  all  the  night,  Theo- 
dore Roosevelt,  with  assistant  officers  and  troopers, 
was  busy  arranging  to  carry  away  the  baggage 
and  horses  of  the  regiment  and  to  place  in  order  the 
troops  on  the  several  trains.  All,  however,  were 
compelled  to  wait  until  the  following  morning;  for 
it  was  after  sunrise  when  the  passenger  cars  came 
to  receive  them. 

"Shoot!"  cried  one  of  the  men  at  midnight, 
springing  up  from  the  edge  of  the  platform  where 
he  had  taken  a  seat.  'The  planks  are  covered  with 
melted  pitch.  They  like  to  have  gobbled  my  hang- 
ings. ' ' 

"Reckon  we'll  have  to  stand  it,"  returned  his  file 
mate. 

' '  You  are  level !    We  can 't  sit  on  it. ' ' 

' '  Oh,  but  Roosevelt  is  splendid !  He 's  doing  every- 
thing for  us — getting  us  dandy  coffee  and  fine  food." 

"Why,  he's  worth  everything  to  us.  He's  ahead 
of  everybody  in  the  country." 

63 


THE  ROUGH  RIDERS  PROCEED  TO  CUBA. 

As  explained,  the  troopers  were  at  the  station  all 
night,  lying  on  the  hard  platform  or  the  more  dan- 
gerous damp  ground.  Yet  not  a  complaint  arose. 
Every  member  of  the  regiment  was  full  of  cheer, 
while  the  laugh  and  joke  continued  to  abound. 

More  stoppages  and  trouble  occurred  during  the 
transit;  yet  there  were  many  pleasant  incidents. 
Crowds  of  people  cheered  and  gave  warm  welcomes 
to  the  men  of  the  command  at  the  stations  of  all  the 
cities  and  towns  through  which  they  passed.  It  was 
not  uncommon  for  a  troop  of  pretty  girls  in  white 
to  salute  them  with  voice  and  handkerchief  and  then 
to  presnt  them  with  beautiful  bouquets. 

After  the  passing  of  days,  they  arrived  at  their 
destination,  the  Concentration  Camp  at  Tampa. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Roosevelt  selected  the  camp- 
ing site  not  far  from  Tampa  Bay.  Under  his  super- 
vision, the  men  of  the  command  laid  out  the  grounds 
and  raised  their  canvas  habitations.  The  streets  be- 
tween the  tents  were  made  smooth  and  clean.  For 
a  few  days  vigorous  work  to  enlarge  and  make 
strong  the  military  skill  of  the  Rough  Riders  was 
energetically  continued. 

The  tent  of  Roosevelt  had  been  pitched  on  an  emi- 
nence overlooking  the  bay.  The  fly  had  been  drawn 
forward  to  shade  the  entrance  from  the  sun.  The 
commander  happened  to  be  sitting  there  during  the 
noon  hour.  The  sounds  of  running  feet  mingled 
with  boistrous  shouts  were  heard.  Sam  Severs  and 
Jack  Clother  dashed  around  the  corner  of  the  tent. 

69 


SHACKLES    CAST 

The  former,  catching  his  foot  in  one  of  the  guy- 
ropes,  went  spinning  head  over  heels,  alighting  a 
few  feet  distant  from  the  front  of  the  fly.  Not  hurt 
by  the  fall,  he  turned  an  extra  somersault  or  two, 
finishing  with  a  handspring  that  brought  him  stand- 
ing before  Roosevelt.  Straight  as  an  arrow,  he  sa- 
luted with  military  precision: 

''Welcome,  charming  sunny  Colonel,  welcome!" 

"Eight  side  up  with  care!"  laughed  Clother. 

"If  you  please,"  cried  private  Sam,  waving  the 
other  aside,  "we  are  told  that  the  Spanish  fleet  is 
corked  up  in  the  harbor  of  Santiago.  We  ran  over 
to  see  if  it  is  true." 

"True,  Sam.  The  crack  fleet  of  Spain  is  in  the 
port  at  Santiago." 

"And  our  ships  are  waiting  to  give  them  hail  Co- 
lumbia!" breathlessly  injected  Jack.  "Is  it  so, 
Colonel?" 

"The  'Flying  Squadron'  under  Schley  lies  out- 
side to  give  battle  should  the  Spanish  ships  attempt 
to  escape.  The  fleet  of  Sampson  is  not  far  off,  in- 
deed, it  is  hastening  with  all  speed  to  Santiago. ' ' 

"Saints!"  exclaimed  Clother.  "The  Dons  are  in 
for  it,  sure. ' ' 

"Shall  we  go  to  help  the  blue  jacekts?"  asked 
Severs. 

* '  Quite  likely.    Orders  to  move  are  expected. ' ' 
"Whoop-la-lu!    Let's  go  and  tell  the  boys,"  he 
chirruped. 

With  a  spring  he  cleared  the  rope  over  which  a 

70 


THE  ROUGH  RIDERS  PROCEED  TO  CUBA. 

minute  before  he  had  fallen.  Followed  by  his  com- 
panion, he  ran  back  to  the  line  of  tents  where  his 
comrades  were  waiting  for  the  news. 

A  few  days  afterward,  specific  orders  from  Wash- 
ington directed  the  troops  to  make  ready  for  em- 
barkation. During  the  morning  Johnny  Upswich, 
a  young  lad  working  for  the  captain  of  Chester's 
troop,  walked  proudly  along  the  line  of  tents.  The 
men  were  busily  at  work  preparing  to  move.  The 
boy  happened  to  pass  the  canvas  abode  of  Sergeant 
Fenton. 

''Hello,  soldier!"  cried  the  latter,  playfully  seiz- 
ing the  boy  by  the  shoulders.  "Going  along?" 

"You  bet!" 

"As  the  captain's  servant!" 

'  *  That  is  what  he  told  me — said,  too,  that  I  might 
help  you  about  the  rations  when  you  needed  me. ' ' 

"That's  all  right,  Johnny.  Glad  you're  going. 
You're  just  the  stuff!" 

The  lad  went  away.  Softly  whispering,  he  af- 
firmed: 

"If  Sergeant  Fenton  falls  sick  or  anything  hap- 
pens to  him,  he'll  be  taken  care  of.  He's  good  to 
me — I  won't  forget." 

By  the  time  a  sufficient  transport  service  had  been 
collected,  some  days  had  slipped  away.  During  that 
time  Lieutenant  Colonel  Roosevelt,  with  constant 
effort,  endeavored  to  find  what  vessel  was  assigned 
to  the  First  Volunteer  Cavalry.  It  was  with  great 
difficulty  that  he  obtained  the  statement.  At  last 

71 


SHACKLES    CAST 

when  he  was  told  that  his  regiment  must  take  the 
transport  Yucatan,  he  hurried  back  to  his  men.  They 
were  all  anxiously  waiting.  It  was  nine  miles  from 
the  Eiders'  camp  to  the  pier  where  the  Yucatan 
would  be  moored.  As  Roosevelt  had  learned  that 
some  other  troops  were  also  directed  to  embark  on 
the  same  vessel,  he  secured  a  train  of  empty  coal 
cars  to  take  his  men  quickly  down  to  the  wharf  that 
he  might  at  once  get  them  aboard.  By  this  arrange- 
ment, leaving  their  baggage  behind,  he  gained  pos- 
session of  the  Yucatan  for  the  Rough  Riders  before 
other  regiments  got  to  the  landing. 

General  Shafter  had  received  imperative  orders 
for  the  transports  to  sail.  In  three  days  the  ships 
having  the  troops  on  board  were  ready  to  depart — 
several,  indeed,  had  weighed  anchor  and  reached  the 
lower  bay.  Then  quite  unexpectedly,  by  a  dispatch 
from  the  War  Department,  sailing  orders  were  re- 
voked. A  Spanish  man-of-war  had  been  reported 
in  dangerous  proximity  to  Key  West;  so  it  was  de- 
cided that  the  vessels  should  be  held  for  further  in- 
structions. 

A  few  days  later  and  the  story  of  a  fleet  of  the 
enemy  being  north  of  Cuba  was  shown  to  be  a  myth. 
Orders  were  therefore  renewed  for  the  transport 
fleet  to  set  sail. 

"Well,  my  comrades,"  welcomed  Roosevlt  to  the 
crowded  troopers  on  the  deck,  "our  waiting  trouble 
is  over  and  we  shall  speed  to  the  place  where  we  are 
to  meet  the  Spaniards." 

72 


THE  ROUGH  RIDERS  PROCEED  TO  CUBA. 

1  'That's  tiptop,  Colonel.  Please  tell  us  where 
we're  going." 

1  'General  Shafter  has  a  sealed  order.  The  date 
for  him  to  open  it  has  not  yet  come." 

' '  Oh,  that  'a  it !    Well,  we  '11  find  out  after  awhile. ' ' 

"Now  we  go!"  jubilated  Fenton,  standing  among 
friendly  troopers. 

"I'm  awful  glad,  Sergeant,"  returned  one  of  the 
men. 

"Rah,  for  Cuba!"  bawled  Severs,  waving  his  hat 
as  the  Yucatan,  on  whose  deck  he  stood,  passed  an- 
other craft  well  laden  with  soldiers. 

This  brought  an  echoing  shout  from  those  saluted, 
which,  being  taken  up  by  the  troops  and  sailors  of 
vessels,  became  a  commingling  roar. 

The  Yucatan  was  overladen.  Sleeping  berths  had 
been  provided  for  seven  hundred  and  fifty  soldiers ; 
but  there  had  been  ten  hundred  and  sixty  crowded 
aboard.  A  waggish  Rough  Rider,  overruning  with 
humor,  prepared  and  hung  over  the  bulwarks  the 
sign,  "Standing  room  only!"  A  comrade  to  whom 
it  was  shown  tacked  on  below  it  the  words:  "And. 
a  durned  little  bit!" 

The  steamships  comprising  the  transport  fleet 
sailed  in  three  long  lines,  with  the  convoy  of  war- 
ships keeping  guard  on  all  sides.  After  passing  out 
of  Tampa  Bay,  the  general  direction  was  southward. 
This  course  was  held  until  Key  West  had  been  left 
far  on  the  larboard  quarter.  Then  the  ships  gradu- 
ally swung  eastward  and  entered  the  Florida  Strait. 

73 


SHACKLES    CAST 

Some  of  the  vessels  were  old  and  very  slow,  and 
they  set  the  speed  of  the  fleet  so  that  it  moved  along 
about  eight  knots  an  hour.  Yet  passing  over  the 
beautiful  sea,  glowing  in  the  daytime  with  blue 
transparency  and  in  the  night  reflecting  the  starlit 
sky,  much  pleasure  was  afforded  the  regiment. 

Beaching  the  sea  north  of  Cuba,  the  troops  ad- 
mired the  picturesque  land  along  the  shores  and  the 
mountain  heights  rising  inland. 

"Havana  it  is!"  shouted  the  men  on  one  of  the 
vessels  to  those  on  another. 

"Havana,  Havana!"  echoed  from  craft  to  craft. 

' '  Let  her  clip ! ' '  was  the  return  cry.  * '  The  Dons 
will  have  to  make  good  for  the  Maine ! ' ' 

During  the  night  the  expedition  was  sailing  past 
Havana.  Searchlights  from  Morro  Castle  flashed 
seaward,  revealing  the  ships.  Drums  and  bugles 
sounded.  The  Spaniards  rapidly  manned  their  forti- 
fications and  numerous  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance 
blazed  and  boomed  over  the  sea.  But  as  the  Ameri- 
can Armada  swept  onward,  no  mischief  happened  to 
a  single  vessel.  Discussion  as  to  the  army's  des- 
tination now  became  rife  among  the  troopers;  in- 
deed, as  each  fortified  place  was  approached,  it  ac- 
corded the  chief  topic  in  their  lively  argument. 

When  the  fleet  was  off  Cape  Maisi,  the  search- 
lights of  the  men-of-war  comprising  the  convoy, 
flashed  in  every  direction.  A  torpedo  boat  unex- 
pectedly appeared  near  the  transports.  A  battle- 
ship threw  the  blaze  of  its  forward  searcher  upon 

7t 


THE  ROUGH  RIDERS  PROCEED  TO  CUBA. 

it.    The  sailing  master  who  stood  at  the  bow  shouted 
to  the  captain  on  the  bridge: 

« 'It's  the  Porter!" 

"Give  hail,"  returned  the  latter. 

"Are  you  the  Porter?"  roared  a  boatswain. 

"Yes!"  came  back  muffled  from  the  fiercely  chug- 
ging craft. 

But  it  was  noticeable  that  the  answering  boat 
veered  aport  and  began  to  slip  away.  Soon  after  it 
became  known  that  it  was  a  Spanish  torpedo  boat 
from  Maisi;  and  although  it  might  have  done  mis- 
chief, it  slunk  back  to  port  without  revealing  its 
identity. 

On  the  following  day  the  broad  column  of  vessels 
changed  course  to  sail  around  the  eastern  end  of 
Cuba.  At  once  there  succeeded  a  general  impres- 
sion that  the  former  capital  city  of  the  island  was 
the  objective. 

"Is  it  Santiago?"  asked  Sergeant  Fenton  of  a 
lieutenant  who  with  himself  was  admiring  the  ship- 
covered  sea  by  which  they  were  environed. 

Thirty-four  transports,  several  colliers  and  sup- 
ply ships,  with  fourteen  vessels  of  war  serving  as  a 
convoy,  composed  the  fleet. 

* '  Can 't  say.  General  Shaf ter  knows  but  he  keeps 
mum. ' ' 

Later  on,  Guantanamo  was  sighted.  At  this  place, 
two  men-of-war  from  the  blockading  battalia  of  San- 
tiago, were  seen  sailing  into  the  port. 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"What  are  they  doing,  Colonel  Roosevelt?"  asked 
a  trooper. 

"Going  to  take  on  coal,  I  understand." 

The  transport  expedition  continued  its  course  un- 
til it  came  near  the  coast  east  of  Santiago.  The 
North  Atlantic  fleet  and  the  Flying  Squadron  now 
came  into  view.  These  powerful  naval  forces  were 
guarding  the  entrance  to  the  harbor  in  which  the 
Spanish  warships  under  Admiral  Cervera  were 
"bottled  up."  As  the  vessels  carrying  the  military 
forces  came  within  hail  of  the  watchdogs,  the  sol- 
diers set  up  a  loud  shout.  This  was  soon  followed 
by  a  prolonged  cheering  from  the  men  and  the  bands 
of  both  fleets. 

"Rah,  rah,  rah!"  blared  Tom  White,  a  frontiers- 
man of  the  Rough  Riders. 

' l  Keep  the  Dons  corked ! ' '  yelled  Jack  Clother,  to 
the  blue  jackets  of  the  battleship  Texas,  which  lay 
off  the  starboard  bow. 

' '  Or  turn  'em  over  to  Davy  Jones ! ' '  came  a  shout 
in  reply. 

1  i  The  fleet  of  Sampson  and  Schley  is  fine,  is  it  not, 
Colonel  Roosevelt?"  exclaimed  Fenton. 

' '  They  are  powerful,  and  if  they  catch  the  Spanish 
warships,  I  have  no  doubt  they  will  establish  a  re- 
markable conflict." 

As  General  Shafter  had  been  directed  to  com- 
municate with  Admiral  Sampson  before  landing  his 
troops,  the  transport  fleet  delayed  its  course  until 
after  the  conference  had  been  held.  Then  the  ves- 

76 


THE  ROUGH  RIDERS  PROCEED  TO  CUBA. 

sels  conveying  the  troops,  with  their  convoy,  sailed 
to  Daiquiri,  a  few  miles  east  of  Santiago.  At  this 
place,  to  clear  the  vicinity  of  any  lurking  forces  of 
the  enemy,  the  cruisers  swung  in  near  to  the  shore 
and  vigorously  shelled  the  woods  and  the  heights 
that  lay  inland.  This  done,  with  the  aid  of  a  flotilla 
of  small  craft,  the  troops  began  to  disembark.  By 
the  time  evening  had  enclosed  the  scene,  six  thou- 
sand soldiers  were  on  shore. 

The  Rough  Riders — they  were  required  to  act  as 
infantry,  for  their  fine  horses  had  not  been  brought 
to  Cuba — marched  a  short  distance  up  the  beach. 
Turning  toward  the  rising  upland,  they  halted  in  a 
pretty  spot  lying  between  hills  near  the  Daiquiri 
river.  Since  they  had  their  half-shelter  tents  with 
them,  they  went  into  camp. 

Colonel  Roosevelt  paid  great  attention  to  the  men. 
He  made  active  effort  to  obtain  them  food,  because 
on  that  day  provisions  had  not  been  landed  in  any 
required  quantity.  He  also  assisted  them  to  adjust 
their  canvas  in  the  best  positions.  To  secure  proper 
protection,  a  well  regulated  regimental  guard  was 
established.  In  addition  to  that,  safety  was  in- 
creased by  pickets  and  advance  detachments  posted 
by  General  Lawton. 

After  a  limited  supper,  the  Rough  Riders  sat  and 
lounged  on  the  ground  in  chosen  places  of  the  camp- 
site. There  was  much  discussion  of  what  they  be- 
lieved to  be  the  impending  conflict. 

77 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"On  to  Santiago ! ' '  echoed  back  and  forth  among 
them. 

* '  Have  to  wait  for  the  rest, ' '  muffled  Tom  White. 

"How  many  got  ashore  to-day,  Colonel  Roose- 
velt?" asked  Sam  Clother. 

"Six  thousand — eight  thousand  still  on  board— 
with  all  the  baggage,  the  siege  and  field  ordnance, 
ammunition  and  provisions,"  replied  the  command- 
er. 


78 


CHAPTER  IX. 

ROOSEVELT  BRAVELY  LEADS  AT  LAS  GUASIMAS. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day,  General 
Wheeler's  brigade,  which  included  Roosevelt's  regi- 
ment, received  orders  to  move  forward.  The  Rough 
Riders  began  their  march  at  four  o'clock  and  did 
not  halt  until  eight  in  the  evening. 

General  Joseph  Wheeler  was  a  famous  type  of  the 
southern  military  gentlemen,  a  soldier  of  great  cour- 
age and  ability. 

The  direction  was  toward  Siboney,  over  a  rocky, 
rough  country,  the  brushwood,  trees  and  vines  form- 
ing a  jungle-growth.  The  course  lay  along  cowpaths 
or  trails  in  lieu  of  roads.  During  the  morning  hours 
a  heavy  rain  had  fallen,  and  now,  as  the  sun  burst 
forth  through  the  clouds,  its  fierce  rays  made  the 
air  quiver  with  heat. 

"Wheugh!  But  it's  a  roast!"  cried  one  suffering 
trooper  to  another. 

"I  should  remark!  Reckon  Old  Horn  is  stirring 
up  the  fire!" 

A  great  number  of  the  men  were  clad  in  winter 
garments,  so  they  suffered  untold  tortures.  When- 
ever a  drinking-place  was  reached,  which  occurred 

79 


SHACKLES    CAST 

at  rare  intervals,  crowds  huddled  around  it  swal- 
lowing water  in  dangerous  quantities. 

As  evening  came  on,  the  command  reached  a  point 
near  Siboney.  At  this  hour  a  violent  thunderstorm 
began  to  rage.  Officers  and  men  suffered  alike,  all 
being  drenched  to  the  skin.  By  the  time  the  rain 
had  abated  sufficiently  to  allow  fires  to  be  kindled, 
the  night  was  well  advanced. 

' '  There  you  are,  Sergeant  Fenton, ' '  broke  out  the 
troop 's  cook,  standing  off  to  admire  a  blaze  which  he 
had  started.  "Now  for  coffee — if  it's  coming." 

"It  will  be  here  in  a  minute,"  assured  the  young 
officer,  "for  our  colonel  is  caring  for  us." 

This  being  verified  in  a  short  time,  coffee  and  a 
small  ration  of  hardtack  were  served. 

The  regiment  had  been  on  one-fourth  rations 
since  coming  on  shore. 

"A  bit  of  venison  wouldn't  go  bad  with  this  mix- 
ture," averred  a  western  plainsman.  "But,  then," 
he  added  apologetically,  "can't  get  it,  so  it's  all 
right!" 

"Set  it  up!"  called  another. 

By  break  of  day,  in  accordance  with  instructions 
issued  from  headquarters,  the  Kough  Riders  were 
equipped  and  ready  for  the  march.  The  captain  of 
the  troop  to  which  Fenton  belonged,  having  become 
sick,  had  to  be  carried  to  the  hospital.  This  left  the 
First  Lieutenant  in  command,  while  the  next  in  rank 
was  at  headquarters  acting  as  adjutant. 

' '  Get  ready  for  a  brush,  boys.    It 's  coming,  sure, ' ' 

80 


ROOSEVELT  BRAVELY  LEADS  AT  LAS  GUASIMAS. 

announced  Roosevelt,  after  the  troop  had  answered 
the  roll-call  at  Reveille. 

"Rah,  for  the  brush!"  returned  Tom  White — a 
cry  that  was  taken  up  by  one  trooper  after  another 
until  the  welkin  rang. 

Theodore  Roosevelt  had  energy,  intelligence  and 
enthusiasm  enough  to  inspire  the  men  of  his  com- 
mand, indeed  they  worshipped  him  and  constantly 
cheered  him. 

Some  Cuban  scouts  had  reported  to  the  officer  in 
command  that  a  large  body  of  Spaniards  were  hid- 
ing in  a  certain  direction  at  the  distance  of  one  to 
three  miles.  This  information  caused  additional  care 
to  be  taken,  the  march  proceeding  cautiously  up  a 
trail  leading  over  a  wood-crowned  hill.  The  van- 
guard was  deployed  as  skirmishers  at  several  hun- 
dred yards  from  the  main  body,  while  other  troops 
scouted  on  the  right  and  left  as  well  as  in  the  rear. 
These  forces  carefully  searched  for  a  concealed  foe ; 
while  the  men  behind  frequently  indulged  in  the 
regimental  cry: 

"Rough,  tough,  we're  the  stuff! 

Come  on,  Don  bluff, 
We  want  to  fight,  let 's  get  enough, 

Whoop !    Whoop-la-lu ! ' ' 

On  the  table-land  which  extended  back  from  the 
brow  of  the  ascent,  lay  a  locality  named  Las  Guasi- 
mas.  There  the  enemy  had  thrown  up  entrench- 
ments and  rifle  pits,  which  by  forestry  of  low  growth 
were  hidden  from  view.  They  also  held  as  a  fort- 
si 


SHACKLES    CAST 

ress,  although  for  a  time  unsuspected  by  the  Rough 
Eiders,  the  great  sugarhouses  of  an  extensive  plan- 
tation which  lay  on  the  extreme  left.  In  this  am- 
buscade, for  it  thus  served,  they  stealthily  awaited 
the  coming  of  the  "Americanos!" 

Colonel  Eoosevelt  was  in  command  of  the  Rough 
Riders  and  as  his  men  approached  the  concealed 
Spaniards,  a  single  shot,  quickly  followed  by  many 
more,  came  from  out  the  brush.  As  the  enemy  used 
smokeless  powder,  the  localities  from  which  the 
shots  came  could  not  be  determined.  Nevertheless, 
the  skirmishers  and  the  men  who  followed,  made  re- 
ply, governed  by  the  ear  alone.  It  was  in  the  foe- 
men's  first  discharge  that  that  excellent,  brave 
young  man,  Sergeant  Hamilton  Fish,  who  with  his 
captain  was  in  the  extreme  advance,  fell  mortally 
wounded. 

This  so  aroused  the  entire  force  that  it  awaited 
with  eagerness  the  command  to  charge  the  probable 
lurking-place  of  the  enemy.  The  day  was  insuffer- 
ably warm  and  a  number  of  the  men,  in  order  that 
they  might  make  more  rapid  progress  when  given 
a  free  rein,  threw  away  various  articles  of  their 
clothing. 

"Boys,  the  country  demands  soldierly  work  of 
you  to-day!"  coolly  spoke  Roosevelt,  passing  swift- 
ly along  the  front. 

"And  the  country  gets  it,  Colonel,"  shouted  a 
burly  fellow,  standing  with  the  others  at  parade 
rest. 


ROOSEVELT  BRAVELY  LEADS  AT  LAS  GUASIMAS. 

1  'Bet  your  last  chip,"  added  a  companion  a  little 
farther  along  the  line. 

''Let  us  loose,  Colonel,"  roared  a  third  plainsman, 
seizing  his  rifle  in  both  hands,  "An'  we'll  light  on 
'em  like  a  pack  of  coyotes  on  a  bunch  of  jack  rab- 
bits!" 

The  officer  smiled  and  waved  his  hand. 

After  passing  before  all  his  men,  he  hastily  moved 
to  the  front  and  called  in  deliberate  yet  calm  tone: 

' '  Forward,  my  men ! — and  wipe  out  the  enemy ! ' ' 

Eeceiving  the  word,  the  Bough  Eiders  rushed  for- 
ward. All  the  obstacles  that  the  ingenuity  of  the 
Spanish  troops  could  devise,  were  encountered. 
Barbed  wire  interruptions  and  intanglements  had 
been  placed  on  every  hand.  Scattered  here  and 
there  were  pitfalls  insnared  by  being  covered  with 
leaves  and  brush,  while  the  bottoms  were  set  with 
sharpened  stakes  to  impale  those  who  should  break 
through  the  deceptive  surface.  Although  these  dif- 
ficulties were  to  be  faced,  the  brave  men  pushed  on 
with  frenzied  haste  to  reach  the  foe — a  foe  concealed 
and  using  weapons  whose  discharge  could  not  be 
detected  by  the  eye ;  moreover  the  Spaniards,  know- 
ing the  distance  of  the  coming  troops  by  means  of 
surveys  and  measurements  formerly  made,  swept 
their  path  with  a  storm  of  missiles. 

At  last  the  hidden  foemen  were  reached.  They 
were  entrenched  on  the  opposite  side  of  a  valley 
concealed  by  dense  foliage.  Thus  they  kept  up  a 

83 


SHACKLES    CAST 

terrific  blaze  upon  the  Bough  Eiders  who  were 
speeding  toward  them. 

" There  they  are!  Jump,  boys,  and  at  them!" 
shouted  Colonel  Roosevelt,  dashing  in  the  lead. 

Chester  was  in  the  first  little  group  to  reach  the 
entrenchments  and  rise  above  the  earth-mounds. 

"Down  with  them,  down  with  them!"  he  cried. 

"Flop  the  cussed  Dons!"  roared  a  number  of 
struggling  soldiers. 

"Every  lousy  sneak!"  was  a  supplemental  cry 
from  Tom  White." 

With  terrific  speed  the  Riders  pushed  forward.  A 
few  of  the  men,  prostrated  by  the  heat,  fell  out  and 
others  dropped  stricken  by  the  bullets  of  the  enemy. 
Yet  onward  went  the  mass.  Flying  cones  multi- 
plied, whistling  and  striking  on  every  side.  One 
struck  a  tree  around  which  Roosevelt  was  speeding, 
passing  through  the  crown  of  his  hat.  Bark-dust 
and  splinters  beat  upon  his  face  and  filled  his  eyes ; 
yet  the  brave  man  faltered  not,  but  rather  put  ad- 
ditional zest  into  his  step. 

"Storm  them,  my  men,"  he  cried.  "Let  the 
Rough  Riders  win  out!" 

"We'll  down  them,  Colonel,"  shouted  Tom  White. 
"Bet  your  life!" 

The  command  rushed  on,  meeting  and  driving  the 
Spaniards  before  them  until  not  one  was  left  in  the 
trenches  or  the  neighboring  woods.  Then  a  great 
shout  went  up : 

84 


ROOSEVELT  BRAVELY  LEADS  AT  LAS  GUASIMAS. 

"Rah,  rah,  rah!  Rah  for  the  Roughs!  Bully 
boys!" 

After  the  engagement  at  Las  Guasimas,  the  Rough 
Riders  withdrew  from  the  scene  of  the  conflict  to 
the  bank  of  a  small  stream  which  lay  on  the  left. 
Here  they  bivouacked — and  before  night  came  on, 
fires  had  been  built  and  supper  prepared  and  served. 

When  that  hour  had  passed,  the  soldiers  disposed 
themselves  in  various  attitudes  of  rest  on  the  soft 
grass  of  the  woodland.  Following  the  fierce  heat  of 
the  day,  the  cooler  air  of  the  deepening  shadows  was 
grateful  and  was  highly  enjoyed  by  the  weary  com- 
batants. The  hours  passed  by  and  at  length  the 
notes  of  a  bugle  sounding  retreat  floated  over  the 
landscape.  Spreading  ponchos  and  blankets  on  the 
damp  ground,  the  men  lay  down  and  were  asleep 
beneath  the  open  sky. 

"I've  fixed  your  bed  over  here,  Sergeant,"  ex- 
plained Johnny,  when  the  "retreat"  caused  Chester 
to  look  around  for  his  rubber  blanket. 

Under  the  tree  indicated,  he  found  that  the  boy 
had  collected  a  lot  of  palm  leaves  which  he  had 
bedded  on  the  ground.  Upon  them  as  a  top-layer, 
he  had  spread  the  softest  grass  he  could  find. 

"That's  fine,"  praised  the  young  man,  placing 
his  hand  on  the  shoulder  of  the  lad,  "although  it 
must  have  cost  you  much  hard  work." 

"I  didn't  want  you  to  lie  on  the  hard  ground," 
declared  Johnny,  delighted  with  the  pleasure  which 
the  other  manifested. 

85 


SHACKLES    CAST 

From  the  day  the  captain  had  become  an  occupant 
of  a  ward  in  the  field  hospital,  Chester  had  cared 
for  the  boy  and  had  shared  with  him  his  shelter- 
tent — indeed,  Johnny's  condition  had  aroused  warm 
interest  in  his  mind  and  heart. 

On  the  following  day,  the  men  who  had  fallen  at 
Las  Guasimas  were  committed  to  the  bosom  of  the 
earth.  The  lost  members  of  the  First  United  States 
Volunteer  Cavalry,  the  Rough  Eiders,  were  given  a 
military  burial  in  all  its  solemnity;  yet  as  the  com- 
rades of  some  were  very  much  touched  at  the  de- 
parture of  friends  long  known  to  them  on  the  plains 
or  among  the  mountains  of  the  West,  additional 
ceremonies  peculiar  to  their  home  regions  being  per- 
mitted by  a  kindly  asking  from  Theodore  Roosevelt. 
Strange,  it  seemed,  to  witness  the  bronzed  faces  of 
frontiersmen  streaked  with  lines  of  moisture  as  they 
tenderly  laid  a  companion  to  rest. 

"He  was  one  of  the  boys  you  could  tie  to,"  slowly 
pronounced  a  long-haired  giant. 

"And  no  mistake,"  added  a  third,  "and  he  was 
the  best  shot  at  Round  Knob.  Could  spot  the  ace 
of  clubs  with  his  pocket  gun  at  two  hundred  paces 
every  time  he  let  go — and  I'll  bet  he's  more  than 
even  with  the  cussed  Dons." 


86 


CHAPTER  X. 

MARCH  OF  THE  ROUGH  RIDERS  TO  SAN  JUAN. 

A  few  days  had  passed  and  a  stir  was  noticeable 
in  the  camp. 

"There  are  orders  to  move!"  declared  Sergeant 
Fenton  to  a  group  of  soldiers  who  lounged  beneath 
the  trees  of  the  encampment. 

In  a  few  minutes  Colonel  Roosevelt  came  in  front 
of  the  soldiers.  With  a  smiling  countenance,  he  an- 
nounced : 

"We  march  this  afternoon  to  meet  the  Span- 
iards." 

"Rah!"  shouted  private  White,  springing  from 
the  ground. 

The  cry  was  taken  up  and  repeated  by  the  differ- 
ent groups  until  the  whole  field  was  in  a  cheery 
uproar. 

The  commander,  waving  his  hat,  went  back  to 
his  tent. 

During  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  the  movement 
began.  The  column,  a  sinuous  line  of  blue,  wound 
among  the  trees  and  jungle-undergrowth.  In  an  at- 
tempt to  keep  cool,  many  walked  with  bare  heads, 
their  shirt-sleeves  rolled  up  and  their  collars  unbut- 

87 


SHACKLES    CAST 

toned  and  thrown  wide  apart.  The  personal  bag- 
gage which  they  were  required  to  carry,  added  much 
to  their  discomfort ;  yet  they  struggled  bravely  for- 
ward, cheerfully  wrestling  the  difficulties  of  the 
route — indeed,  the  way  being  arduous,  still  merrier 
rose  the  hum  of  voices  and  the  more  reckless  the 
desultory  converse. 

"Ouch!  That  cactus  jest  sticks  a  feller  to  the 
bone ! ' '  exclaimed  a  soldier  who  had  been  pierced. 

"What's  a  bone  when  a  Don's  on  the  trail?"  rap- 
ped our  another.  "Stick  it  in  your  pocket." 

"Them  things  are  Spanish  bayonets,"  twanged  a 
laboring  cowboy.  "Leastways  I  heard  that  the 
woods  were  full  of  them." 

"What  about  slush?"  whipped  out  Severs,  trying 
to  shake  himself  free  from  a  soft  environment. 

"It  sticks  wuss  than  did  mud  up  in  God's  country 
on  the  Missoorah ! ' '  panted  a  brown-faced  toiler. 

On  the  right  of  the  column,  the  guns  of  a  light  bat- 
tery of  artillery  were  passing.  The  wheels,  rolling 
over  the  softened  clay  of  the  rock-besprinkled  sur- 
face, creaked  and  groaned. 

"Say!  Get  off  and  walk,"  shouted  Jack  Clother 
to  the  drivers.  "Them  horses  have  got  enough  to 
do  without  having  a  dead  weight  on  their  backs." 

"Not  dead  yet,  old  boy!"  bawled  one  of  the  riders, 
merrily  laughing. 

"Mebbe  not;  but  we'uns  have  to  walk  and  there's 

a  kick  on  you'uns  having  the  best  end  of  the  lariat!" 

"You'uns  better  join  the    boomers,    then,"    re- 

83 


MARCH  OF  THE  ROUGH  RIDERS  TO   SAN  JUAN. 

torted  the  other,  "and  learn  how  to  shoot  and  save 
soles!" 

"Git  out!"  croaked  an  individual  perched  on  a 
caisson.  "A  feller  on  a  hoss  helps  the  crittur  to 
stick  in  his  toe-calks." 

"This  dirt '11  stick  'em  good,"  clipped  out  one  of 
the  Rough  Riders,  whose  face  showed  perspiration 
flowing  in  currents  down  cheek  and  neck. 

"When  you  spot  them  Spaniards,  knock  'em  gal- 
ley-west, so's  we'll  have  less  to  do!"  shouted  White 
to  the  artillerists  of  a  second  gun-carriage,  as  it 
rumbled  by. 

' '  Bet  your  bottom  dollar !  We  '11  keep  'em  a  skip- 
pin'!" 

"Cuss  this  load!"  grumbled  Severs,  as  he  brushed 
the  moisture  from  his  forehead.  "If  the  blasted 
Dons  had  to  carry  our  stuff  while  we  prodded  'em 
with  our  bayonets,  things  would  move !  Eh,  old  fel- 
ler?" he  cried,  turning  to  White.  "It  'ud  be  about 
as  good  as  giving  'em  a  magazine  full !" 

1 '  Suit  me  to  a  dot. ' ' 

Occasionally,  Cubans  armed  with  shotguns  or 
machetes,  came  trailing  along  making  their  way  to 
the  rear.  Seemingly  they  were  bent  on  escaping  a 
conflict  which  they  understood  to  be  approaching. 
One  clothed  in  white,  an  officer  of  the  Revolutionary 
army,  came  near  Fenton's  troop.  Suddenly  spring- 
ing away  from  the  sergeant's  side  where  he  was 
marching,  the  boy,  Johnny  Upswich,  drew  his  re- 
volver and  pointed  it  at  the  Cuban. 

89 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"No,  Johnny,"  checked  Chester,  grasping  him  by 
the  arm,  "he  is  a  friend." 

"Joe  said  that  fellows  in  white  are  Dons,  and  they 
are  all  the  time  hitting  our  soldiers  from  the  tops  of 
the  trees." 

' '  That  is  partly  a  mistake.  Cubans  wear  white— 
and  they  are  helping  us — not  firing  at  us." 

Very  slowly  and  with  manifest  reluctance,  the  boy 
lowered  his  weapon  and  returned  it  to  its  sheath. 

The  shadows  were  lengthening  in  the  sun's  red- 
dened glow  and  the  swelter  of  a  tropical  evening  had 
begun.  The  column  halted  and  the  shelter-tents 
were  spread.  To  keep  the  position  of  the  camp 
masked,  neither  fire  nor  lights  were  allowed.  Under 
these  circumstances,  coffee  was  wanting  to  the  even- 
ing meal ;  save  in  those  instances  where  a  small  sup- 
ply of  the  cold  article  had  been  hoarded  in  a  canteen. 

"Here,  Sergeant,  I  saved  some  for  you,"  cried 
Johnny,  holding  up  his  tin  receptacle  to  Chester. 

"Why,  my  boy.  We  shall  share  it,"  returned 
Fenton.  "Come  down  here." 

Later,  when  the  mantle  of  night  had  fallen,  for 
awhile  Theodore  Roosevelt  passed  around  among 
the  troops,  speaking  pleasantly  and  cheering  all  of 
them.  It  was  a  delightful  order  of  kindness  to  the 
men ;  and  as  he  withdrew  from  group  to  group,  their 
farewell  words  were  full  of  praise.  Then  the  sol- 
diers, like  phantom-forms,  flitted  among  the  trees, 
or  slept  peacefully,  little  troubled  concerning  the 
morrow. 

90 


MARCH  OF  THE  ROUGH  RIDERS  TO  SAN  JUAN. 

The  rain  clouds,  which  during  the  day  had  liberal- 
ly discharged  moisture,  had  broken  away  and  the 
moon  shone  softly  among  fleecy  masses  floating  high 
in  the  atmosphere.  Long  after  the  camp  had  become 
quiet,  Fenton  was  awake.  Visions  of  San  Ysidra 
and  the  fair  girl  who  graced  the  island,  floated  be- 
fore his  eyes,  holding  him  fast  in  delightful  reverie. 

" Blessed  Dorothy,"  he  breathed.  "So  sweet,  so 
good." 

Johnny  had  lingered  near,  walking  slowly  in  nar- 
row limits  as  if  he  guarded  his  new  master.  Ches- 
ter had  seated  himself  beneath  drooping  foliage,  his 
hands  interlocked  across  his  knees.  The  lad  crept 
silently  toward  him  and  finally  sat  down  at  his  feet, 
casting  shy  glances  upon  his  troubled  countenance. 
The  sergeant  aroused  and  spoke: 

"Johnny,  did  the  march  tire  you?" 

"Oh,  no.  I'm  just  as  fresh!  I  could  jump  over 
the  moon." 

After  waiting  awhile,  he  whispered: 

"Joe  Wilson  says  the  Spanish  can't  fight  like  our 
boys." 

"Did  Joe  say  that?" 

"Yes.    Right,  isn't  it?" 

' '  The  Spaniards  used  to  be  a  brave  people,  and  at 
Las  Guasimas  they  made  a  savage  fight.  Still,  I 
think  the  Americans  are  ahead." 

"Do  you  believe  they'll  kill  many  soldiers?"  asked 
the  boy,  rising  with  an  abrupt  movement  and  com- 
ing near  to  his  companion. 

91 


SHACKLES    CAST 

' '  No  one  can  predict — but  I  fear  they  may. ' ' 

The  lad  made  no  reply  except  to  put  his  arm  over 
the  sergeant's  shoulders. 

A  little  later,  Chester  asked  Johnny  to  spread  the 
poncho  beneath  the  tree  under  which  they  were  sit- 
ting. When  they  lay  down  to  rest,  the  lad  was  given 
his  usual  place  on  one  side  of  it.  Before  consigning 
himself  to  the  god  of  dreams,  he  examined  his 
ancient  pistol  of  the  old  pepper-box  variety  to  see 
that  the  cartridges  were  in  place.  Then  with  great 
care  he  put  it  near  his  head  and  muttered: 

* '  There  don 't  any  Spaniard  hurt  Sergeant  Fenton 
to-night!" 

During  the  night  Eoosevelt  slept  curled  up  on  his 
saddle  blanket  covered  simply  by  his  rain-coat.  After 
midnight  he  made  a  round  of  the  sentries  to  see  that 
every  one  was  doing  his  duty. 

The  stir  of  the  camp  began  before  the  hue  of  dawn 
limned  the  mountain  crest.  The  breakfast  was  pre- 
pared so  early  that  the  soldiers  could  barely  distin- 
guish each  other's  faces.  In  low  tones  they  spoke  of 
the  possibilities  which  the  day  might  bring  forth : 

' '  Which  of  us  sits  at  the  mess  for  the  last  time  f ' ' 
was  asked.  Again: 

"Who  are  to  fall  on  yonder  heights'?" 

"Those  who  went  down  at  Las  Guasimas  didn't 
expect  to, ' '  continued  a  trooper  as  he  sipped  his  cof- 
fee. 

"Maybe  that  hits  the  rest  of  us." 

"Don't  disturb  yourselves,"  urged  Joe  Wilson. 

92 


MARCH  OF  THE  ROUGH  RIDERS  TO   SAN  JUAN. 

"Our  boss,  Roosevelt,  is  going  to  lead  us  to  whack 
the  Dons — and,  by  Jove,  we  '11  do  it ! " 

"Bully,  bully  boys!"  exclaimed  White. 

The  sun's  first  ray  kissed  the  top  of  the  palm- 
trees  and  nature's  investiture  of  mist  and  dew  was 
transformed  into  a  sheen  of  glory.  As  the  men 
stood  in  the  ranks  waiting  for  orders,  their  gaze 
upon  the  landscape  caused  their  spirits  to  rise  into 
loftier  moods. 

"Oh,  but  she's  an  eye-charmer,"  cried  one  of  the 
troopers,  looking  upon  the  surrounding  beauty. 

"A  stem- winder, "  declared  another.  "It  looks  all 
right  above — but  the  footing,  eh?" 

The  line  of  attack  on  the  outer  fortification  at  San- 
tiago, extended  for  several  miles.  The  assault  and 
the  capture  of  these  works,  including  El  Caney  and 
San  Juan,  are  to  be  precedent  to  an  investment  of 
the  defenses  of  the  stronghold  itself. 

After  the  march  had  begun,  the  unbenign  condi- 
tion of  the  earth's  bosom  was  more  and  more  re- 
vealed, locomotion  being  a  laborious  and  difficult 
task.  It  irritated  the  wading  footmen,  causing  a 
reaction  of  the  morning  pleasure  when  viewing  the 
landscape. 

"Say!"  exclaimed  Severs,  "if  this  is  Cuby,  I 
don't  want  any  of  it  in  mine." 

"Not  much,"  grumblingly  coincided  another. 

"I  can't  see  why  they  call  it  the  'Pearl  of  the 
Antilles,'  "  continued  Sam.  "Jerusalem!  A  pearl! 

93 


SHACKLES    CAST 

I'd  dub  it  a  first-class  peat-bog,  or  a  slough,  or  a 
mud-hole ! ' ' 

"Er  a  cactus  patch,"  suggested  White. 

"  'Cordin'  to  the  way  the  ground  sticks,  it's  the 
devil's  own  mushpot,"  declared  a  toiler. 

In  the  formation  of  the  attack,  the  Eough  Riders 
were  assigned  to  a  division  operating  against  San 
Juan  and  its  defenses.  Halted  by  the  general  in 
command,  they  lay  waiting  for  further  orders. 
Chester's  troop  rested  among  lemon  and  mango 
trees,  whose  modest  stature  was  overtopped  by  the 
fronds  of  numerous  royal  palms.  On  all  sides  there 
was  such  a  profuse  growth  of  cacti,  guava  bushes 
and  guinea  grass  as  to  embarrass  the  soldiers '  move- 
ments and  prevent  an  extended  view  of  the  forest 
vale  fronting  them  through  which  the  advance 
against  the  enemy's  works  was  to  proceed. 

' '  Say,  boys ! ' '  exclaimed  White,  *  *  did  you  see  that 
crab  crittur  going  it  slaunchwise  I " 

"Nope,"  declared  Sam. 

"A  frightful  consarn;  Eyes  that  put  you  in  mind 
of  the  devil 's — accordin '  to  the  way  we  figger  it. ' ' 

"Must  be  handsome,"  affirmed  private  Wild. 

"Yes,  it's  pretty,"  conceded  Tom,  "perwidin'  a 
man  doesn't  mind  what  he  says." 

"I  caught  on  to  the  thing  at  Siboney,"  declared 
Joe  Wilson,  "but  I  wasn't  stuck  on  it." 

"I  believe  the  riptyle  is  rank  pison!"  ejaculated 
a  soldier  standing  a  little  in  the  rear.  "Ugh!  I'd 

94 


MARCH  OF  THE  ROUGH  RIDERS  TO  SAN  JUAN. 

rayther  tumble  on  a  squad  of  Dons  than  on  to 
them!" 

"Look!"  blared  Severs.  "On  that  mango!  Up 
at  the  fork!" 

Those  who  looked  saw  a  huge  lizard  having  a  yel- 
low body  and  green  legs. 

"Stars!    What  the  snakes  do  you  call  it?" 

"One  of  these  snapbacks,  I  reckon,"  conjectured 
Sam. 

"Those  land  crabs  are  snapbacks,"  declared  Jack 
Clother. 


95 


CHAPTER  XI. 

SAN  JUAN  CAPTURED  BY  COLONEL  ROOSEVELT. 

From  a  hill  on  the  left,  the  booming  of  cannon  fell 
on  the  ear.  It  was  the  signal  for  a  forward  move- 
ment. The  ranks  became  silent  and  the  officers  pro- 
nounced the  requisite  commands.  The  roar  of  the 
American  guns  had  scarce  ceased  to  reverberate 
among  the  hills  when  the  ordnance  of  the  enemy 
crashed  in  reply.  The  trajectory  of  the  first  of  their 
shrapnel  was  rather  great,  so  that  the  deadly  mes- 
senger fell  to  the  rear;  but  they  had  accurate  meas- 
urements of  the  distance  between  their  works  and 
every  prominent  point  in  the  relief  for  miles  around. 
Hence  a  slight  error  of  range  was  soon  corrected. 

As  there  was  a  halt  of  his  regiment,  others  crowd- 
ing in  the  trail,  Colonel  Roosevelt  was  somewhat 
back  discussing  the  probable  course  of  the  army. 
The  first  shrapnel  burst  near  him;  the  second  one 
throwing  the  shrapnel  bullets  all  around  where  he 
stood.  One  of  the  bullets  struck  him,  wounding  his 
wrist  so  as  to  cause  a  great  swelling.  The  same  shell 
cast  fragments  that  caused  four  of  the  Rough  Riders 
to  be  wounded.  Roosevelt  immediately  hustled  his 
regiment  over  the  crest  of  the  hill  where  it  stood 

96 


SAN  JUAN  CAPTURED  BY  COLONEL  ROOSEVELT. 

and  lead  the  men  into  a  depression  covered  with 
heavy  jungle-growth  and  tall  trees. 

"Gittin'  warmer!"  asserted  White. 

"It  was  hot  enough  before,"  retorted  Wilson. 

'  *  They  are  durn  careless  with  them  shraps ! ' '  pro- 
tested Severs. 

Soon  the  Kough  Riders  marched  forward  as  ex- 
peditiously  as  the  moist  surface  permitted,  the 
troops  struggling  with  the  torturous  maze  of  jungle- 
growth. 

*  *  Hello,  Tom !  Did  you  get  your  hide  skewered ! ' ' 
laughed  Joe,  as  the  former  sprang  back  from  the 
spines  of  a  cactus. 

* l  Guessed  it  the  fust  time. ' ' 

A  screeching  shell  came  spinning  towards  them. 

"Down,  boys!"  called  Colonel  Roosevelt. 

None  too  soon ;  for  the  strident  emissary  burst  on 
their  left. 

"They  have  the  range,"  averred  the  colonel,  as 
the  men  arose. 

"Blame  their  picturs!"  growled  Clother.  "If 
they'd  only  show  themselves  we'd  get  their  range 
mighty  sudden." 

The  regiment  entered  a  public  highway  leading 
directly  to  San  Juan.  The  footing  proved  to  be 
worse  than  in  the  routeless  forest,  the  soldiers  slip- 
ping and  floundering  in  miry  depths.  On  each  side 
of  the  road  lay  a  thick  jungle.  A  storm  of  shot  from 
concealed  Spanish  entrenchments  in  distant  woods, 
rendered  the  narrow  way  the  stalking-place  of  Death. 

97 


SHACKLES    CAST 

A  wood  cuckoo  and  then  another,  gave  prolonged 
notes. 

"Jehosophat!"  bawled  a  foot-toiler.  ''Sounds  as 
if  that  crittur  was  being  spitted. ' ' 

"Spanish  sharpshooters,"  explained  Roosevelt. 
* '  Cubans  told  us  to  look  out  for  that  cry.  It 's  a  sig- 
nal for  the  troops  in  the  entrenchments." 

"Signal?    What  for?" 

"To  tell  them  where  we  are,  so  they  can  hit  us." 

' '  Burn  their  scalps ! ' '  cried  White. 

"Keep  your  eyes  peeled,  boys.  Let  us  try  to  dis- 
cover the  trees  in  which  the  Spanish  marksmen  con- 
ceal themselves,  then  wing  one  whenever  we  make 
out  his  hiding-place." 

Coming  to  an  unbridged  creek,  the  soldiers  had 
to  hop,  skip,  and  jump  on  fragments  of  rock  that 
had  been  placed  in  the  skurrying  and  frothing  water. 
This  caused  the  movement  of  the  column  to  vary, 
seeming  to  hurry  at  one  point,  to  retard  its  step  at 
another.  While  Fenton's  troop  was  in  one  of  the 
conjestions,  the  "weet-s-st"  of  a  rifle  ball  cutting 
the  foliage  near  him,  arrested  his  attention.  He 
looked  to  the  right,  whence  the  dangerous  missile  had 
come. 

"Some  of  our  boys  are  gittin'  wild,"  shot  forth 
Severs. 

"Ping!    Whit!"  sang  more  Mauser  cones. 

"Our  boys?"  retorted  Roosevelt.  "No.  It's  the 
rifles  of  the  enemy  in  treetops  down  yonder.  They 
are  trying  to  get  us." 

98 


SAN  JUAN  CAPTURED  BY  COLONEL  ROOSEVELT. 

"The  skulking  thieves!"  blurted  Sam. 

"Keep  a  sharp  lookout! — so  we  may  get  them!" 

"Sh-st!"  hissed  another  bolt,  clipping  here  and 
there  a  leaf  in  its  course.  At  that  instant  one  of  the 
men  fell.  Tom  White  ran  to  him. 

"Somebody  give  me  a  poke  with  his  gun!"  cried 
the  prostrate  soldier,  looking  wrathfully  at  the  com- 
rade who  bent  over  him. 

"It  was  a  Don,"  returned  White,  deprecatingly, 
as  raising  the  soldier  he  exposed  his  gory  garments. 

The  man  saw  the  life-stream  issuing  from  his  body 
and  trickling  down  upon  the  grass.  He  immediately 
became  silent. 

Colonel  Eoosevelt  had  run  toward  them. 

x 

"Watch  that  clump  of  palms!"  he  cried. 

He  then  set  about  applying  "first-aid"  bandages 
to  the  wounded  soldier.  White  endeavored  to  locate 
the  guerilla  by  sighting  from  the  spot  where  the 
bullet  struck.  He  knew  that  the  marksman  must 
have  shot  through  those  openings  which  were  in  line 
with  himself  and  the  victim. 

"What  can  you  make  out?"  called  Severs. 

"Trying  to  find  out  where  that  gorilla  is." 

"Hard  to  spot  the  smokeless-powder  cusses!"  ex- 
ploded Sam. 

"It  is  certain  that  one  is  in  the  trees  down  yon- 
der," pronounced  the  colonel,  pointing  to  a  group 
of  palms. 

White,  who  was  one  of  the  crack  shots  of  the  regi- 
ment, saw  far  away  a  movement  among  the  fronds 

99 


SHACKLES    CAST 

of  a  palm-tree.  Instantly  he  took  aim  and  fired.  In 
a  few  seconds  a  Spanish  sharpshooter  fell  from  the 
treetop. 

"Well  done,  Tom,"  exclaimed  Roosevelt.  "A 
good  shot  and  no  mistake." 

The  command  entered  the  road  that  led  down  to 
the  San  Juan  river.  This  was  a  long  descent,  swept 
by  hostile  fire  from  the  masked  enemy.  The  Span- 
iards had  ascertained  the  ordnance  and  small-arm 
range  of  a  thousand  landmarks.  Thus  a  death-pour 
could  be  spouted  on  a  given  locality ;  information  of 
the  American  position  being  signaled  by  the  sharp- 
shooters concealed  in  palm-trees. 

Deplorable  spectacle!  Brave  men  in  an  attitude 
of  inaction  facing  a  murderous  fire  from  an  unseen 
foe. 

Behold!  Men  calmly  enter  the  frightful  hurri- 
cane. One  after  another  they  are  torn  and  lacerated 
by  hostile  bolts;  but  as  they  fall  to  eternal  sleep, 
they  smile  and  speak  cheery  words.  Yet  there  is  not 
pause  or  faltering.  Others  succeed  and  fill  the  re- 
sulting gaps. 

"Farewell,  brave  men!  A  nation  mourns — but 
will  hold  your  deeds  in  hallowed  memory ! ' ' 

Thus  Roosevelt  spoke  when  he  was  standing  over 
a  Eough  Rider  who,  being  horribly  wounded,  sud- 
denly passed  away. 

The  situation  was  one  of  terrible  strain — a  su- 
preme test  of  courage  and  patriotism.  To  the  fell 
blast,  response  was  impossible;  for  it  apparently 

100 


SAN  JUAN  CAPTURED  BY  COLONEL  ROOSEVELT. 

sprang  from  out  of  the  forest.  Death  lurked  on  every 
side.  Soldiers  sank,  but  their  comrades  could  find  no 
outlet  for  the  maddened  resentment  which  crazed 
them. 

"Colonel,  this  is  awful!"  declared  a  gigantic 
Eider  from  Arizona.  " Can't  we  go  for  them  cussed 
Dons?" 

"We  are  moving  toward  their  fortified  places 
from  which  they  are  sending  storms  of  shot.  At 
present  we  cannot  detect  any  on  our  flanks. ' ' 

"I  hope  we  can  fix  them.  We  are  shot  and  are 
not  able  to  draw  a  bead  on  a  single  buffer ! ' ' 

Onward  moved  the  armed,  yet  armless,  men.  With 
clenched  teeth  they  went  to  slaughter.  The  Ameri- 
can soldier  will  march  to  death ;  he  will  never  betray 
the  trust  of  his  countrymen. 

The  forks  of  the  San  Juan  were  reached.  Pity, 
pity !  The  place  was  swept  by  a  deadly  torrent.  The 
troops  pushed  on!  Rifles  were  gripped  in  clasp  of 
steel  and  men  dashed  down  to  River  Styx!  With  em- 
blanched  cheek  but  unfaltering  step  they  went  to 
sacrifice. 

Colonel  Roosevelt  stood  on  the  bank  speaking  to 
the  officers  and  the  troopers  as  they  approached : 

"Stoop  men  and  hasten  across  to  the  opposite 
bank.  You  can  rest  there  safely  for  awhile." 

"Good  enough,  brave  Colonel!    We'll  git  there!" 

The  commander  smiled  and  moved  his  hand  in  a 
friendly  way. 

From  instinct,  some  of  the  men  wading  through 

101 


SHACKLES    CAST 

the  storm-harrowed  passage,  had  stooped  down ;  the 
officers,  however,  stood  erect,  often  speaking  to  their 
commands. 

"Hurry  through,  boys!"  called  Fenton. 

"Please,  Sergeant,  stoop  down,"  pleaded  Johnny. 

' l  It  will  do  for  me  to  stand  up.    Bun  to  the  bank ! ' ' 

"If  it  is  all  right  for  you,  it  is  for  me ! ' '  pluckily 
declared  the  lad,  dragging  through  the  river  beside 
Fenton.  The  water  reached  to  his  waist;  yet  the 
precious  pistol  and  its  ammunition  was  held  high  in 
air. 

At  last  the  troops  had  passed  the  bloody  defile 
and,  turning  aside,  deployed  on  land  covered  by  a 
heavy  undergrowth.  Through  openings,  the  troops 
now  began  to  sight  the  enemy;  or  at  least,  to  see 
their  forts  and  earthworks.  Colonel  Eoosevelt  was 
using  a  field-glass  to  inspect  the  Spanish  entrench- 
ments. 

"See,  Colonel,  there's  a  row  of  heads  along  the 
outside  parapet, ' '  announced  private  White. 

"And  I  see  Dons  back  of  the  posts,"  affirmed  Fen- 
ton. 

1 1  You  are  deceived, ' '  explained  Eoosevelt.  * '  The 
enemy  have  dressed  some  poles  and  set  them  before 
the  openings.  They  have  also  laid  straw  hats  on  top 
of  the  breastworks." 

*  *  To  draw  our  fire ! "  flashed  Tom.  ' « Well,  they  '11 
skidoo  out  o '  that,  all  the  same ! ' ' 

"I  see  the  Spaniards  step  between  the  headgear 
to  discharge  their  firearms.  There  is  a  slight  bluish 

102 


SAN  JUAN  CAPTURED  BY  COLONEL  ROOSEVELT. 

puff  of  the  smokeless  powder.    With  the  field-glass 
I  can  locate  an  enemy.    But  I  fear  that  none  of  you 
can  do  so  with  the  naked  eye." 
"There!    I  see  it!"  cried  Sam. 

"Do  you  see  it?  A  quick  return  at  such  a  point 
may  give  results,"  replied  Roosevelt. 

The  suggestion  was  at  once  adopted;  and  when  a 
film  of  blue  thereafter  could  be  seen,  it  was  followed 
by  immediate  shots  from  the  best  marksmen  among 
the  Bough  Riders. 

During  this  period  of  action,  the  troops  moved 
toward  the  opposing  forces.  Reaching  the  outer 
edge  of  the  woods,  an  open  slope,  seven  or  eight  hun- 
dred yards  wide,  lay  between  them  and  the  Heights 
of  San  Juan.  Here,  under  orders,  the  infantry 
waited  for  the  artillery.  In  this  unfortunate  situ- 
ation, through  hours,  the  halted  lines  received  an 
incessant  rifle  fire  from  the  embankments  of  the 
enemy.  The  air  rang  with  sibilance,  while  at  times 
the  flying  cones  and  shells  brought  death  to  the  sol- 
diers who  lay  prone  upon  the  ground. 

Regardless  of  every  remonstrance  given  by  the  of- 
ficers or  men,  Colonel  Roosevelt  went  from  place  to 
place,  exhibiting  a  bravery  which  he  had  shown  won- 
derfully since  he  first  stood  under  fire.  Wherever 
he  found  a  regimental  comrade  stricken  in  that  fiery 
blast,  he  staunched  the  life-flow  with  first-aid  band- 
ages. 

On  the  earth,  two  soldiers  groaned.    One  suffered 

103 


SHACKLES    CAST 

from  a  shattered  knee,  while  the  other  had  been 
pierced  through  the  lungs. 

"I'll  give  many  thanks  for  a  drink,"  moaned  the 
latter. 

For  hours  under  the  burning  sun  and  amid  the 
swirl  of  shot,  Johnny,  sweat  and  dust  begrimed,  had 
carried  water.  On  his  last  trip  to  the  river,  he  had 
filled  several  canteens.  After  most  strenuous  effort 
he  had  brought  them  to  the  wounded  and  the  dying. 
Hearing  the  distressful  cry,  he  hurried  to  the  side 
of  the  suffering  man.  To  him  he  spoke  with  peculiar 
tenderness : 

' '  Here  is  water,  Tom. ' ' 

And  he  gently  placed  the  mouth  of  the  canteen 
between  the  trooper's  lips.  White  drank  a  long, 
satisfying  draught.  Then  with  his  eyes  resting  on 
the  lad,  he  indistinctly  uttered : 

"You're  a  bully  boy,  Johnny.  Thank  you  so 
much. ' ' 

"Oh  Tom,  I  brought  it  for  you,"  returned  the 
lad,  his  eyes  filling  with  tears.  "I  wish  I  could  help 
you." 

The  soldier  shook  his  head. 

"My  checks '11  have  to  go  forrard  this  time.  That 
bullet  was  for  me,"  he  gasped,  his  voice  partially 
choking. 

"This  way,  boys!"  called  Roosevelt.  "Here  he 
is.  Hurry  him  down  to  the  field  hospital  under  the 
bank  at  Bloody  Bend. ' ' 

The  soldier  was  a  few  yards  distant,  when    the 

104 


SAN  JUAN  CAPTURED  BY  COLONEL  ROOSEVELT. 

colonel  again  spoke,  directing  the  carriers: 

*  *  Down  this  hollow  behind  the  trees.  Keep  out  of 
the  way  of  the  bullets  as  much  as  you  can." 

Johnny  now  hastened  to  give  water  to  the  poor 
fellow  who  lay  with  shattered  knee.  After  he  had 
supplied  him,  he  asked : 

"Can't  you  use  your  gun  for  a  crutch  and  follow 
Tom  White  down  to  the  hospital!" 

"No,  no,"  he  grieved.  "My  leg  is  too  badly 
broken.  It  would  kill  me." 

'  *  The  boys  will  take  you  down,  Henry,  on  their  re- 
turn," Roosevelt  assured  him. 

"All  right,  dear  Colonel,"  replied  the  sufferer. 

The  fiery  lances  of  the  western  sun  pierced  the 
tropical  foliage,  yet  the  artillery  had  not  yet  ar- 
rived. The  waiting  had  been  most  disastrous;  for 
although  the  troops  had  been  ordered  to  lie  down, 
the  ranks  had  been  sadly  depleted  by  the  hostile  fire 
which  had  riddled  them  several  hours.  Roosevelt 
sent  out  messenger  after  messenger  to  the  command- 
ing general  to  obtain  permission  to  advance.  When 
he  was  able  to  speak  to  General  Joseph  Wheeler, 
he  remarked : 

'  *  The  American  soldier  never  retreats ! ' ' 

"True,  Roosevelt,  true!"  confirmed  General 
Wheeler.  * '  Carry  out  that  undoubted  bravery. ' ' 

"Then  I  and  my  regiment  may  go  forward?" 

"Sure." 

The  troops  were  on  the  ground  waiting,  when  sud- 
denly the  bugle  rang  out: 

105 


SHACKLES    CAST 

''Rise!" 

Up  sprang  the  embattled  line.  Colonel  Roosevelt 
now  formed  the  Rough  Riders  in  open  skirmishing 
order. 

Again  the  trumpet 's  thrilling  call : 

"Forward!" 

And  the  movement  began.  A  few  minutes  elapsed 
and  the  clarion  notes  rose  shrill  and  clear : 

"Forward!    To  the  charge!" 

The  valiant  host  swept  onward !  It  must  be  added 
that  when  Roosevelt's  men  started,  other  regiments 
jumped  up  and  pushed  on. 

Wilder  shrieked  the  Spanish  shrapnel  and  more 
furiously  sped  the  Mauser  cones.  The  heroisms  of 
that  day  had  never  been  surpassed.  Mere  words 
cannot  represent  them.  Officers  and  men  vied  with 
each  other  in  examples  of  exalted  daring. 

Behold  the  American  army!  Bursting  into  im- 
petuous life,  it  rushed  over  the  bolt-torn  space.  The 
officers,  general,  field,  and  line,  were  in  front.  With 
swinging  hat  and  waving  sword,  each  shouted  en- 
couragement to  his  followers  and  led  on  to  the  hos- 
tile works.  The  answers  of  the  men,  bursting  from 
their  lips  in  billowy  chorus,  gave  hearty  response, 
cheering  their  intrepid  chieftains  and  nerving  them 
anew. 

The  Rough  Riders,  with  their  fearless  commander 
leading  them,  sprang  swiftly  up  the  bullet-harrowed 
steep  that  lay  before  them. 

"Come  on,  men!"  shouted  Roosevelt,  swinging  a 

106 


SAN  JUAN  CAPTURED  BY  COLONEL  ROOSEVELT. 

rifle  which  he  was  handling  most  effectively.  "Use 
your  guns  as  chance  may  permit — but  let  us  get  to 
the  entrenchments." 

"Right  you  are,  Colonel!"  roared  a  frontiersman 
who  was  strenuously  endeavoring  to  equal  his  lead- 
er's speed.  "We'll  soon  git  the  blame  Dons  by  the 
hair!" 

A  small  stream  crossed  their  course.  Colonel 
Roosevelt  splashed  through  without  a  hesitating 
step  and  his  men  followed  him  not  delaying  for  a 
moment. 

With  marvelous  defiance  of  danger,  the  color- 
bearers  were  in  advance  of  the  rank  and  file. 

'  *  Hurrah,  boys !  Line  up  on  the  colors ! ' '  cried  a 
sturdy  fellow  who  had  borne  his  fluttering  standard 
in  advance  of  his  comrades. 

Heaven  guard!  The  brave  man  fell!  But  scarce 
had  the  folds  of  the  sacred  emblem  touched  earth, 
ere  other  hands  had  seized  it  and  raised  it  high 
above  the  struggling  battalions. 

"To  the  color!"  blared  forth  the  brazen  bugle. 

"To  the  color!"  issued  from  a  thousand  loyal 
throats,  as  with  unparalleled  daring  the  men  dashed 
on.  They  were  more  than  halfway  over  the  open 
ground,  that  death-flushed  field  of  carnage.  Gory 
forms  in  khaki  marked  the  way.  The  living  halted 
not,  but  through  baffling,  spinous  herbage  pressed 
onward  to  the  heights. 

"Forward  boys!"  cheered  their  colonel.  "We 
go  to  yonder  crest!" 

107 


SHACKLES    CAST 

On  they  sped,  heedless  of  the  withering  blasts  that 
issued  from  the  trench-covered  steep.  Sergeant 
Penton  was  pushing  on  beside  his  lieutenant.  Sud- 
denly the  latter  fell.  Chester  stopped  to  minister 
to  him. 

*  *  Never  mind  me.  Go  on  with  the  men !  Let  our 
colors  be  the  first  to  cap  the  Spanish  works ! ' '  cried 
the  gallant  officer,  writhing  in  the  agonies  of  death. 

The  base  of  the  hill  was  reached.  The  soldiers 
were  breathless.  Their  faces  were  stained  with  the 
heat  and  the  dust  of  conflict;  but  their  hearts  were 
of  steel.  Struggling  up  the  final  precipitous  ascent 
toward  the  hilltop,  their  eyes  burned  with  steadfast 
purpose. 

"Push  forward,  my  men!  Go  to  the  forts!" 
shouted  Colonel  Roosevelt. 

On  a  distant  eminence  a  group  of  persons  watched 
the  progress  of  the  fight. 

"Great  God!"  exclaimed  the  military  attache  of 
a  foreign  power.  '  *  They  are  going  to  the  entrench- 
ments and  the  batteries!" 

"Without  artillery!"  proclaimed  a  member  of  the 
English  press  corps.  "It  is  slaughter — and  if  they 
fail,  not  a  man  will  be  left  to  tell  the  story!" 

"Fail!  Not  at  all!"  declared  the  proud  corres- 
pondent of  a  New  York  journal. 

"It  is  bravery,  unexampled  bravery;  but  not  legi- 
timate warfare, ' '  concluded  another  of  the  party. 

"What  think  you?"  was  asked  of  a  Japanese  of- 
ficer who  quietly  regarded  the  spectacle.  The  in- 

108 


SAN  JUAN  CAPTURED  BY  COLONEL  ROOSEVELT. 

terrogated  shrugged  his  shoulders  in  a  significant 
manner. 

"Me  link  e-emgo!" 

The  Rough  Eiders,  trying  hard  to  keep  up  with 
their  colonel,  were  climbing  the  almost  perpendicu- 
lar hillside  just  below  the  trenches.  It  rose  abruptly 
before  them.  Still  they  manfully  wrestled  with  the 
difficulties  which  beset  them.  Gasping,  fainting  with 
heat,  the  faithful  souls  paused  not.  Now  they 
grasped  shrubs  and  bunch-grass,  with  sharp-spined 
cactus  to  assist  them  in  the  ascent.  Lion-hearted, 
they  resolutely  grappled  with  their  mighty  task. 
They  mounted,  laboriously  wrenching  themselves 
over  the  tortuous  surface.  With  never-halting  cour- 
age they  cheered  again  and  again.  Woe  to  the 
Spaniard  who  showed  himself  above  the  parapets; 
for  the  American  rifles  sang  deadly  dissonance. 
Again  and  again  Eoosevelt  cheered  his  men  and  led 
them  forward. 

"Charge  the  enemy,  brave  comrades!"  he  loudly 
called.  * 4  We  fight  for  honor  and  for  Cuba  free ! ' ' 

The  troops  responded  with  hearty  shouts — as  sol- 
dier-freemen may  utter.  Still  onward,  upward! 
They  neared  the  ridge.  Barbed  wire  entanglements 
confronted  them!  Beyond  were  the  entrenchments 
whence  burst  the  lethal  streams !  Facing  a  cyclone 
of  shot,  brave  men  cut  away  the  interwoven  iron.  The 
troops  rushed  through  and  swept  toward  their  hid- 
den foe. 

Sergeant  Fenton  was  doing  what  he  could  for  his 

109 


SHACKLES    CAST 

troop,  raising  high  the  rifle  crowned  with  flashing 
bayonet.  Suddenly  the  weapon  fell  from  his  hand 
and  the  arm  dropped  nerveless  to  his  side,  while  he 
stumbled  to  the  ground.  Instantly  he  regained  his 
feet.  Blood  trickled  down  and  dripped  from  his 
finger-tips.  A  strange,  tingling  sensation  succeeded 
and  his  limb  was  bereft  of  feeling.  Stooping,  he 
quickly  seized  the  weapon  with  the  other  hand.  In- 
stantly it  gleamed  in  air  while  he  called  with  clear, 
ringing  voice: 

'  *  On  my  brothers !    Let  us  win  out ! ' ' 

"The  enemy  is  on  the  run!"  shouted  Roosevelt. 
"After  them  sharply!" 

While  he  spoke,  he  began  to  clamber  over  the  rise 
of  the  first  entrenchments.  Employing  feet  and 
knees,  he  reached  the  top,  rushing  toward  the  scat- 
tered enemy  who  were  scrambling  over  the  embank- 
ments of  the  second  line  of  defense. 

The  Eiders  closely  following  him  were  now  swarm- 
ing over  the  parapet.  The  Spaniards,  leaving  be- 
hind them  heaps  of  their  dying  and  dead,  gave  way 
and  fled  before  the  oncoming  host.  Still  forward 
pressed  the  conquering  arms.  The  fort,  lying  be- 
yond the  trenches,  was  attained.  It  was  scaled!  In 
spite  of  flying  bullets,  a  gallant  soldier  holding  aloft 
the  American  flag,  mounted  the  towering  pile — and 
amid  a  burst  uf  enthusiasm  which  pealed  upward  to 
the  skies,  "Old  Glory"  spread  out  upon  the  breeze. 

"Heaven  prosper  it!"  cried  Colonel  Roosevelt. 


no 


CHAPTER  XII. 

ROUGH  RIDERS  IN  CUBA  AND  THE  FATHERLAND. 

"Sam,  this  is  superb,"  proclaimed  Fenton,  cast- 
ing his  satisfied  eyes  over  the  woodland  that  capped 
the  ground  above  the  regimental  tents. 

Both  were  gazing  on  magnificent  guaicum  trees 
whose  blue  flowers  glowed  among  abundant  foliage. 
On  their  trunks  and  branches,  granadilla  wove  about 
the  trees,  covering  their  bark  with  beautiful  green 
verdure  and  red  flowers.  As  Chester  and  his  com- 
panion looked  upon  the  brilliant  blossoms  of  the 
climbers  mingling  with  the  blue  display,  they  seemed 
to  impart  beauty  to  the  whole  landscape. 

"Your  remark  is  right,"  agreed  Severs. 

"Flowers  in  lovely  groupings,"  continued  the 
sergeant. 

* '  Cuby  looks  better  to  me  than  it  did.  I  was  more 
than  willing  to  lie  in  the  trenches  as  long  as  it  was 
necessary  to  go  for  the  Dons,  yet  it's  mighty  nice  to 
move  out  of  the  water  and  mud  to  a  spot  like  this." 

"Of  course;  and  as  the  Spaniards  surrendered 
four  days  ago,  it  was  no  use  for  the  boys  to  stay  in 
the  slush  any  longer. ' ' 

Chester  had  been  released  from  the  hospital  the 
day  before ;  but  he  had  been  directed  to  report  every 

in 


SHACKLES    CAST 

morning  that  his  wounded  arm  might  receive  much 
attention  as  the  surgeons  deemed  necessary. 

"I  tell  you  our  colonel  is  a  most  splendid  man," 
continued  Severs.  "He  did  all  this.  Paid  for  stacks 
of  things  out  of  his  own  pocket  to  fix  up  the  troopers 
and  improve  everything  in  camp." 

"Yes,  he  watched  over  his  men.  He  came  to  the 
hospital  to  see  that  I  was  properly  cared  for.  He 
has  given  his  whole  time  and  strength  in  the  effort 
to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  Eiders." 

'  *  You  bet.  There 's  a  delayed  mail  coming  intoday. 
Haven't  had  any  for  ever  so  long — don't  know 
whether  my  best  girl  picked  out  a  better  looking  guy 
or  not." 

"I  have  not  received  a  letter  since  I  have  been 
in  Cuba,"  affirmed  Fenton.  "Disappointment  has 
held  me  fast.  Hope  I  may  get  one  today.  Let's 
walk  down  to  headquarters  and  learn  if  the  mail  is 
in." 

On  reaching  the  adjutant's  tent,  they  found  that 
the  entrance  to  the  adjoining  one  was  the  regimental 
postoffice.  It  was  closed.  The  mail  received  that 
morning  was  being  distributed.  Outside  a  great 
crowd  anxiously  waited. 

It  was  an  hour,  perhaps,  before  the  flaps  of  the 
canvas  were  spread  apart.  Then  a  great  rush  be- 
gan. On  account  of  his  condition,  men  considerately 
gave  place  as  Chester  appeared  at  the  opening. 

"Yere,  Sergeant,  yere's  yer  mail,"  cried  Flipper 
Jack,  a  tall,  dark-hued  Texan,  bringing  him  a  hand- 

112 


ROUGH  RIDERS  IN  CUBA  AND  THE  FATHERLAND. 

ful  of  letters  and  papers.  "I  got  yer  bunch  fer  ye 
so 's  ter  save  ye  any  mishap. ' ' 

"Thank  you,  friend  Jack,"  returned  Fenton,  re- 
ceiving the  mail  with  evident  pleasure. 

Withdrawing  from  the  crowd,  he  went  out  and 
took  a  seat  under  a  neighboring  tree.  The  handwrit- 
ing of  one  letter  made  his  heart  leap.  Since  he  could 
use  but  one  hand,  he  opened  it  by  holding  a  pencil 
between  his  teeth.  Swiftly  his  eyes  ran  over  the 
enclosed  sheet. 

"June  fourth,"  he  exclaimed,  "and  here  it  is  the 
twenty-first  of  July !  Forty-eight  days  to  reach  me. ' ' 

"It's  postmarked  'Tampa' — just  consider —  and 
there  are  some  other  marks  I  cannot  make  out." 

"Mrs.  Strathmore  has  passed  away.  Died  May 
twenty-ninth.  Oh,  how  dreadful!"  he  groaned, 
springing  to  his  feet. 

"Dorothy  is  beside  herself  with  grief.  How  I 
wish  I  was  with  her.  I  could  cheer  her.  Think !  She 
must  manage  that  house  all  alone!  She  writes: 

"  'My  father  is  very  kind,  but  he  does  not  under- 
stand girl's  troubles." 

"Of  course  not.  I  wrote  to  her  yesterday — but  I 
write  again  today,"  he  affirmed,  as  he  began  to  re- 
turn to  his  quarters. 

"Good  morning!"  welcomed  Colonel  Roosevelt. 
"How  is  your  arm?" 

"Fine,"  he  responded.  "I  can  move  it  a  little. 
See!"  he  added,  raising  the  sling  a  trifle  from  his 
side. 

113 


SHACKLES    CAST 

' '  That  '&  first  rate.  Since  you  were  in  the  hospital 
the  surrender  of  the  Spaniards  enabled  us  to  leave 
the  miry  trenches.  Do  you  feel  pleased?" 

"Very  much,  dear  Colonel." 

Roosevelt  bowed  and  went  into  the  postal  tent  to 
see  that  all  things  were  done  properly. 

A  noncommissioned  officer  came  along. 

"Hello,  Sergeant.    How  goes  it?" 

"Getting  along  in  fair  shape." 

"Good!  Our  Roosevelt  looks  after  the  Riders. 
He's  going  to  Santiago  this  afternoon  to  hustle  for 
better  grub  and  more  tents  for  us.  I  am  to  accom- 
pany him.  He  was  at  Siboney  yesterday." 

Notwithstanding  the  removal  of  the  regiment  from 
the  miry  depths  among  the  entrenchments,  sickness 
continued  to  prevail,  many  of  the  men  being  stricken 
with  fever  of  a  malarial  type;  and  while  Cuba  was 
charged  with  the  causes,  it  may  be  that  some  re- 
sulted from  the  conditions  in  Texas  and  Florida 
prior  to  the  embarkation. 

A  few  days  later  Sergeant  Fenton  sat  in  a  ward 
of  the  hospital  at  Siboney.  Upon  a  cot  beside  him 
rested  the  emaciated  form  of  Johnny  Upswich.  A 
fever  had  seized  him  and  he  lay  in  its  last  stages. 
Having  aroused  to  consciousness,  his  eyes,  lighted 
by  the  attachment  which  warmed  his  heart,  dwelt 
steadfastly  on  the  young  man. 

"Do  you  feel  better,  Johnny?" 

"Perhaps  I  feel  easier,  Sergeant,  but — "  he  re- 

114 


ROUGH  RIDERS  IN  CUBA  AND  THE  FATHERLAND. 

plied,  hesitatingly,  a  shade  of  anxiety  sweeping  over 
his  wasted  features. 

''What  troubles  you,  Johnny?" 

Making  an  apparent  effort,  the  lad,  in  a  voice  halt- 
ing and  nearly  inaudible,  uttered  these  words : 

"Colonel  Roosevelt  came  to  see  me  this  morning. 
He  was  so  good  and  kind  to  me.  I  told  him  I  thought 
I  should  die." 

"  'You  can  be  saved  from  the  fever,  I  think,'  he 
said  and  called  the  doctor  to  ask  about  me.  He  did 
not  answer  right  out  that  I  was  dying,  but  his  voice 
and  the  cast  of  his  eyes  gave  it  away. ' ' 

"Have  courage,  Johnny.    You  may  get  well." 

"No,  Sergeant,"  he  whispered.  "An  angel  stood 
by  my  bed  last  night  and  I  know  that  I  shall  never 
see  home  again — and  shall  never — " 

Chester  waited  for  the  sentence  to  be  finished ;  but 
the  boy's  lips  merely  moved,  no  sound  issuing  from 
them. 

"Can  I  do  anything  for  you!"  Chester  soothed, 
placing  the  fevered  one's  hair  back  from  his  fore- 
head. 

For  awhile  Johnny  seemed  unable  to  speak,  but 
in  a  minute  or  two  he  panted : 

"There  is  a  kid  in  San  Antonio  that  I  used  to 
know — Ernest  Good.  He  was  my  chum — and — we 
always  went  everywhere  together." 

"That  was  nice.    What  more,  Johnny?" 

"Why,  Sergeant,  find  him  when  you  go  back.  Tell 
him  good-by  and  give  him  my  revolver  and  belt  ? ' ' 

115 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"I  shall  find  him  and  do  all  you  ask,  Johnny  dear." 

Trembling  movement  again  played  upon  his  lips. 
Although  Chester  observed  it,  he  did  not  fully  under- 
stand what  was  passing  in  the  mind  of  his  young 
companion. 

"You  are  tired,"  he  gently  spoke.  "I  must  be 
still  until  you  feel  better." 

1  'Now!"  replied  the  boy,  marking  the  word  with 
some  degree  of  energy. 

Then  he  looked  longingly  at  Fenton  whom  he  had 
happily  served.  The  young  man  patted  the  boy's 
hand  and  again  smoothed  his  hair. 

"Something  more,  Johnny!" 

'  *  That  kid  has  a  sister.  Her  name  is  Hazel — she 's 
the  handsomest  and  best  girl  that  ever  lived,"  he 
affirmed,  with  new-born  animation. 

Chester  smiled  and  nodded  his  acquiescence. 
Glimpses  of  his  own  young  love  came  flashing  into 
his  consciousness. 

"She  was  in  my  class  at  school — and  she's  the 
smartest — well,  she  could  just  answer  everything  we 
studied,"  continued  Johnny.  "After  my  mother 
died,  Hazel  used  to  mend  my  clothes.  She  made  me 
lots  of  things." 

*  *  Indeed !    She  is  a  good  girl — a  rare  good  girl ! ' ' 

*  *  She  wrote  to  me  when  I  was  at  Tampa,  and  once 
since  I  came  to  Santiago.    I  got  the  letters.    Please 
draw  my  jacket  from  under  my  pillow. ' ' 

Chester  did  as  requested. 

"They  are  in  the  side  pocket.    Please  take  them 

116 


ROUGH  RIDERS  IN  CUBA  AND  THE  FATHERLAND. 

out  and  return  them  to  her,  so  that  she'll  know  that 
I  cared  for  them." 

The  pocket  was  carefully  fastened  with  pins.  Ee- 
moving  them,  the  sergeant  found  a  little  package 
with  newspaper  covering.  It  contained  the  precious 
letters. 

"I  wrote  to  her  several  times — and  I  thought  she 
might  like  to  keep  them  together." 

The  boy  seemed  exhausted.  His  speaking  eyes 
rested  on  the  soldier,  while  a  deep  look  of  gratitude 
took  possession  of  his  countenance.  After  a  short 
time,  he  spoke  again: 

"I  have  some  money  in  my  pants'  pocket.  Give 
her  that ;  and  if  any  more  is  coming  to  me,  that  too. ' ' 

* '  Yes,  Johnny.  I  will  do  everything  you  say, ' '  re- 
plied Chester,  his  voice  choking  and  his  eyes  drop- 
ping tears. 

"And  give  her  the  cross-guns  on  my  cap — and 
the  regiment  and  company  numbers — and  tell  her 
that  I  remembered  her  goodness —  and  if  God  lets 
me,  I'll  watch  over  her  when  I  am  dead,  so  that 
nothing  may  harm  her." 

Here  he  broke  down  completely  and  lay  back  on 
the  couch,  his  eyes  fastened  on  Sergeant  Fenton. 

"I  shall  see  her  and  explain  everything,  Johnny. 
I  will  let  her  know  what  a  true,  manly  boy  you  have 
been." 

This  moved  the  lad  profoundly.  His  wasted  fin- 
gers tightly  grasped  the  other's  hand  and  he  smiled 

117 


SHACKLES    CAST 

as  if  he  were  very  happy.  Gradually  his  eyes  closed, 
his  last  look  being  fixed  on  the  young  officer. 

1 '  Dear  Sergeant Hazel sweet ' 

Chester,  his  own  eyes  now  streaming,  whispered 
in  the  boy 's  ear : 

"Dear,  good  Johnny — the  hero  boy.  She  shall  know 
it  all!" 

A  happy,  contented  smile  wreathed  the  face  of  the 
dying  boy,  as  with  a  gentle  sigh  he  sank  to  the  ever- 
lasting rest.  But  when  the  All-Father  shall  as- 
semble the  great  of  earth,  Johnny  will  be  of  the  num- 
ber. 

In  obedience  to  military  orders,  the  boy  was  buried 
on  the  day  of  his  death.  At  the  head  of  the  grave 
Chester  set  up  a  wooden  tablet  on  which  he  had  en- 
graved the  following  words: 

"JOHNNY  UPSWICH 

the 
BOY  HERO 

of 
SAN  JUAN  HEIGHTS." 

As  the  young  man  was  setting  it  into  its  place, 
Colonel  Eoosevelt  came  along.  Stopping,  he  raised 
his  hat,  remarking: 

"Well  done,  Sergeant  Fenton.  That  marks  the 
resting  place  of  a  noble  boy. ' ' 

After  a  few  days  August  the  seventh  arrived ;  and 
with  it  came  the  embarkation  of  the  Rough  Riders 
on  the  transport  Miami,  bound  for  a  northern  port. 
The  time  spent  in  Cuba  had  wrought  many  changes. 

118 


ROUGH  RIDERS  IN  CUBA  AND  THE  FATHERLAND. 

A  number  of  the  brave  men  who  had  composed  the 
regiment  were  left  in  soldiers'  graves,  while  others 
were  still  sick  in  the  hospital. 

The  ship  was  kept  in  excellent  sanitary  condition 
by  the  management  of  Colonel  Roosevelt.  He  also 
arranged  a  pleasant  voyage  for  the  men,  who  made 
many  talks  about  football  and  baseball  teams  in  col- 
lege sports,  desperate  prowess  in  Indian  fighting, 
the  breaking  up  of  outlaw  gangs,  adventures  in  hunt- 
ing big  game,  in  broncho  busting,  and  many  other 
things.  The  men  telling  the  stories,  seemed  to  be 
filled  with  countless  memories. 

The  destination  of  the  military  band  on  board  the 
Miami  was  Montauk,  on  the  eastern  end  of  Long  Isl- 
and. This  was  reached  on  the  ninth  day  of  the  voy- 
age. When  the  vessel  came  near  the  dock,  it  was 
cheered  by  hundreds  of  steam  whistles  belonging 
to  all  kinds  of  craft  which  had  assembled  to  welcome 
the  Bough  Riders  home.  The  shouting  of  the  thou- 
sands along  the  shore  was  uproarious.  While  it  was 
in  progress  the  band  on  board  the  Miami  struck  up 
1 1 When  Johnny  Comes  Marching  Home!" 

"Hurrah!  They're  home!"  shouted  a  crowd  on 
the  beach. 

The  ship  was  at  length  brought  to  dock.  As  the 
men  of  the  regiment  walked  down  the  gangplank, 
the  salutations  were  warm  and  hearty.  When  Roose- 
velt appeared,  many  pushed  forward  to  meet  him; 
but  as  Mrs.  General  John  A.  Logan  showed  great 
anxiety  to  reach  him,  others  gave  way  and  the  lady, 

119 


SHACKLES    CAST 

running  up  to  him,  took  his  hand  in  a  twofold  clasp : 

"General  Roosevelt,"  she  exclaimed,  "we  wel- 
come you  home  from  your  heroic,  noble  work  in 
Cuba." 

"Thank  you,  madam.  We  have  endeavored  to  be 
true  to  our  country." 

A  little  later  Roosevelt  stepped  among  a  crowd  of 
the  Bough  Riders. 

"Well,  boys,"  he  exclaimed,  "I  bring  news.  Spain 
has  agreed  to  our  terms." 

"Jolly  good!  Bully  good!  Let  'em  snooze!" 
were  some  of  the  return  cries. 

When  the  shouts  of  the  soldiers  had  subsided, 
their  commander  added: 

"We  are  again  in  the  Fatherland.  Let  us  all  en- 
deavor to  regain  vigorous  health. ' ' 

"Rah,  for  our  master!"  shouted  a  bronzed  Col- 
oradan.  * '  May  his  shadow  keep  on  a-booming ! ' ' 

The  response  was  a  hearty  one.  The  officer  took 
off  his  hat  and  swung  it  back  and  forth  in  reply. 
Soon  he  again  spoke: 

"Let  us  pick  out  a  site — then  get  our  tents  up.  Af- 
terwards we'll  see  about  food." 

The  place  for  the  camp  was  chosen  near  beautiful 
rolling  plains,  thickly  studded  with  pools  which  were 
white  with  water  lilies.  The  men  cheerily  began 
work.  Chester  had  charge  of  a  hearty  band  from 
New  Mexico.  In  a  short  time  they  had  prepared  the 
ground  and  had  the  sides  of  their  canvas  homes 
gently  swelling  in  the  breeze. 

120 


ROUGH  RIDERS  IN  CUBA  AND  THE  FATHERLAND. 

4 'That's  it,"  complimented  Roosevelt,  as  he 
passed  by.  * '  Make  everything  spick  and  span ! ' ' 

"Sure,  General.    That's  what  we  are  aiming  at!" 

This  was  the  beginning  of  the  camp  at  Montauk 
Point.  Under  the  direction  of  the  commander  it  was 
kept  in  fine  condition. 

"Like  a  camp  of  West  Pointers,"  declared  one  of 
the  Eiders.  "Sickness  is  unheard  of — except  those 
that  were  out  of  whack  when  we  landed.  Every- 
body else  is  getting  strong  as  an  ox." 

For  pastime  the  men  engaged  in  many  of  the 
amusements  and  sports  which  are  distinctively  west- 
ern in  their  character.  Things  had,  perhaps,  gone 
on  thus  for  two  weeks,  when  a  rumor  reached  the 
Rough  Riders  that  there  were  a  number  of  horses 
belonging  to  another  cavalry  regiment  of  Roosevelt's 
brigade  in  the  camp,  which  were  beyond  the  control 
of  their  owners ;  one  especially  was  so  wild  and  un- 
broken in  spirit  that  no  soldier  of  any  troop  could 
be  found  to  ride  it. 

*  *  Let  'em  fetch  it  over  here  and  we  '11  trim  it  up ! " 
declared  a  Rider  from  Arizona. 

When  the  attention  of  Colonel  Roosevelt  was  called 
to  it,  he  remarked: 

*  *  We  have  got  many  men  who  can  ride  as  wild  an 
animal  as  was  ever  known  on  the  Plains.    Sergeant 
Fenton  is  one  of  them." 

This  being  related  to  the  young  man  he  assured : 
"Yes,  I  willtry  it  out." 

Accordingly,  with  a  formidable  Texas  port  bit  in 

121 


SHACKLES    CAST 

its  mouth  the  creature  was  brought  over  for  a  test. 
Chester  came  from  his  tent  and,  seeing  the  mouth- 
piece, said: 

"Boys,  change  that  chain-port  for  the  ordinary 
cavalry  bit." 

A  number  of  visitors  were  in  the  camp.  On  that 
day  the  request  to  tame  the  horse  was  made,  several 
government  officials  with  their  wives  were  present. 
All  came  to  see  the  "bronco  busting."  When  the 
vicious  creature  was  brought  out  and  the  person 
to  mount  it  made  his  appearance,  the  ladies  de- 
clared they  could  not  remain. 

"The  horse  is  such  a  wicked-looking  thing,"  they 
exclaimed.  * l  It  will  kill  that  young  sergeant. ' ' 

"Fenton,  the  young  man  who  is  to  ride  it,  can 
ride  anything,"  they  were  informed. 

The  animal  was  trying  to  jerk  away  from  the 
trooper  who  had  brought  it.  Chester  took  the  reins 
into  his  own  hand.  As  the  creature  backed  this 
way  and  that,  he  followed,  giving  it  a  free  rein.  Wait- 
ing his  opportunity,  with  a  single  spring  from  the 
ground,  he  was  settled  in  the  saddle.  Then  followed 
an  unequal  scene  of  bucking,  prancing,  resisting  and 
jumping.  The  youth  kept  his  seat  with  wonderful 
skill,  resisting  every  attempt  to  shake  or  throw  him 
from  the  saddle.  He  used  his  heavy  Mexican  spurs 
in  a  variety  of  ways ;  sometimes  on  the  flank,  again 
on  the  very  breast  of  the  fighting  animal. 

"He  will  be  killed!"  declared  the  wife  of  a  cabinet 
officer.  ' '  See  the  blazing  eyes  of  that  creature ! ' ' 

122 


ROUGH  RIDERS  IN  CUBA  AND  THE  FATHERLAND. 

1  'Wait.  You  will  find  that  the  rider  can  master 
it." 

The  horse  had  broken  out  into  a  foam  and  was 
exerting  every  energy  to  throw  the  man  who  sat  up- 
on its  back.  Suddenly  it  reared  so  toweringly  in 
the  air  that  Chester,  although  he  threw  himself  for- 
ward beside  the  animal's  neck,  could  not  restore  the 
lost  balance  and  the  fighter-horse  fell  over  on  its 
back. 

* '  There,  there !  He 's  killed ! ' '  cried  a  lady. ' '  What 
an  awful  sight!" 

Fenton,  however,  had  dextrously  disengaged  him- 
self and  stood  beside  the  fallen  brute,  cooly  holding 
the  reins. 

"Don't  get  on  him  any  more,"  called  a  voice  from 
among  the  spectators. 

Quickly  the  nervy  beast  arose  to  its  feet;  but  it 
was  scarce  erect  before  the  young  tamer  was  on  its 
back.  Again  the  battle  raged,  and  it  continued  un- 
til the  horse  was  thoroughly  cowed.  So  completely 
was  the  victory  that  the  prodding  of  the  rider's  long- 
timed  spurs  would  only  cause  it  to  move  a  step,  toss 
its  head  and  give  a  low  grunt. 

Chester  now  got  off  and  went  to  the  creature 's 
head.  He  patted  it  and  rubbed  it  between  the  eyes, 
then  mounted  slowly,  placing  his  feet  in  the  stirrup 
and  deliberately  raising  himself  to  the  saddle.  All 
this  was  accomplished  without  an  effort  on  the  part 
of  the  horse  to  disturb  him.  The  act  was  repeated 
several  times  with  the  same  result. 

123 


SHACKLES    CAST 

The  youth  then  rode  over  to  the  keeper  and  dis- 
mounting handed  him  the  reins.  Immediately  an  or- 
derly came  forward  and  conducted  the  sergeant  to 
Colonel  Roosevelt's  headquarters  where  he  was  in- 
troduced to  a  number  of  the  visiting  ladies  and 
gentlemen. 

On  September  the  fourteenth  orders  were  received 
to  discharge  honorably  the  Rough  Riders  from  fur- 
ther service.  That  evening  there  was  an  unusual 
celebration.  Comrades  talked  over  the  exploits  oc- 
curring while  they  had  been  together.  Pledges  to 
remember  and  visit  one  another  as  time  would  per- 
mit, were  made  over  and  over.  Bonfires  were  kin- 
dled and  the  evening  closed  in  a  blaze  of  light.  Be- 
fore the  men  retired  to  their  tents  there  was  hearty 
hand-shaking  with  many  kind  words  of  farewell. 

On  the  next  day,  September  the  fifteenth,  the  First 
United  States  Volunteer  Cavalry  was  mustered  out 
of  the  military  service.  Before  separating,  Colonel 
Roosevelt  spoke  to  the  men  of  the  regiment,  giving 
them  many  kind  and  praiseworthy  words,  closing 
by  saying  that  they  would  for  awhile  be  regarded  as 
heroes,  but  afterwards  they  must  endeavor  to  be- 
come good  citizens.  Then  all  the  troops  passed  in 
lines  before  the  colonel,  each  man  shaking  hands 
with  him  and  bidding  farewell.  Then  the  breaking 
up  was  general. 


124 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

CHESTER  FENTON   MEETS   MISFORTUNE. 

While  in  camp  at  Montauk  Sergeant  Fenton  con- 
fided to  Colonel  Roosevelt  that  he  should  enter  the 
regular  army  if  he  could  secure  a  commission. 

"A  number  of  appointments  have  already  been 
made,"  Colonel  Roosevelt  stated.  ''Still  others  are 
pending.  Write  to  the  secretary  of  war  for  inform- 
ation and  assistance  in  the  matter." 

*  *  You  will  give  me  a  statement  ? ' ' 

11  Certainly  I  will." 

Chester  wrote  and  sent  forward  papers  contain- 
ing many  kind  words  from  those  under  whom  he  had 
served.  Thus  it  happened  that  when  the  Rough 
Riders  were  disbanded  on  September  the  fifteenth 
four  months  after  they  had  been  mustered  into  the 
service,  Chester  received,  with  his  discharge  papers, 
an  appointment  as  lieutenant  in  the  army,  subject  to 
passing  the  usual  examination  of  those  seeking  mili- 
tary service. 

The  young  soldier  was  overjoyed.  Visions  of  a 
charming  maid  and  a  beautiful  home  filled  his  mind. 

"Dear  Dorothy,  I  am  winning  out.  This  success 
will  enable  me  to  claim  you." 

Acting  under  the  advice  of  the  regimental  officers, 
Chester  set  out  at  once  for  Leavenworth  to  take  the 

125 


SHACKLES    CAST 

required  examination.  Arriving  in  that  city  two 
days  before  the  date  of  the  ordeal,  he  applied  him- 
self zealously  to  enlarge  his  knowledge  of  the 
branches  in  which  he  was  to  be  tested. 

"I  shall  go  through  all  right,"  he  averred,  "and 
the  higher  markings  I  secure  will  give  me  better 
standing  for  the  future." 

While  attending  school  during  his  boyhood  he 
had  been  a  good  student.  "Almost  brilliant,"  his 
teachers  in  the  high  school  reported.  So  he  felt 
confident  of  his  ability  to  "pass." 

The  day  came  and,  in  company  with  several  other 
young  men,  he  went  to  the  place  in  which  the  exami- 
nation was  to  be  held  and  took  the  seat  assigned 
to  him.  The  elderly  man  in  charge,  beneath  whose 
shaggy  brows  his  gray  eyes  winked  and  blinked, 
closely  watched  the  persons  who  were  engaged  in 
writing  the  answers  to  the  questions  submitted.  An 
assistant  distributed  the  lists.  After  that  he  moved 
about  among  the  workers. 

Thus  the  work  of  the  examination  progressed.  In 
the  afternoon  all  were  busy  with  geometry.  Some 
of  the  theorems  and  the  problems  were  a  little  diffi- 
cult for  Chester,  yet  he  did  not  doubt  his  ability  to 
perform  them.  While  engaged  in  thought  he  sat 
back  in  his  seat  and  his  eyes  wandered  about  the 
room.  Quite  unexpectedly,  the  examiner  appeared 
before  him. 

"Hand  me  that  paper,"  he  demanded. 

Having  received  it,  he  continued : 

126 


CHESTER  FENTON  MEETS  MISFORTUNE. 

"You  are  excused  till  the  next  subject." 

"I  have  not  finished,  sir,"  exclaimed  Chester. 

"Yes,  you  have  finished.  You  were  copying  from 
this  man's  paper." 

"Why,  I  never  thought  of  such  a  thing!  I  have 
not  copied  a  line  or  a  word ! ' ' 

With  a  dangerous  eye  the  man  stood  looking  at 
him.  The  youth  saw  and  knew  that  it  would  not  do 
to  argue  or  he  might  be  dismissed  summarily  from 
the  examination. 

"I  am  sorry  you  think  so,"  he  faltered.  "I  will 
return,  if  you  please,  to  take  history." 

Not  another  word  was  added  by  the  apparently 
irate  examiner.  So  Chester  passed  from  the  room. 

A  similar  case,  although  Fenton  had  merely 
straightened  himself  in  his  seat,  was  enacted  on  the 
following  day  when  algebra  was  under  consideration. 
As  the  youth  was  about  to  leave  the  room,  he  turned 
about  and  asked  the  man  at  what  time  he  might  take 
the  subjects  missed,  for  he  had  been  told  before  be- 
ginning the  examination  that  a  supplementary  trial 
would  be  given  to  all  who  failed  in  two  subjects 
alone. 

"A  month  from  now." 

"In  this  place?" 

"Eight  here." 

With  despondent  heart,  Chester  left  the  room. 
Not  harboring  delay,  however,  he  employed  one  of 
the  best  mathematicians  in  the  city  to  coach  him  in 
the  two  subjects,  algebra  and  geometry.  Explain- 

127 


SHACKLES    CAST 

ing  the  situation,  he  wrote  to  President  McKinley, 
to  the  secretary  of  war,  and  to  his  late  commander, 
Theodore  Roosevelt.  Without  making  any  charge 
of  favoritism  against  the  examiner,  he  told  his  simple 
story  to  all.  He  asserted  to  each  his  innocence  of 
any  thought  or  purpose  of  being  unfair.  He  added 
that  his  conduct  had  been  misjudged. 

Just  how  all  those  letters  were  interpreted  may 
never  be  known ;  yet  he  received  a  kind  answer  from 
Colonel  Roosevelt.  Certain  it  is  that  in  less  than 
fifteen  days  a  senator  from  a  western  state  had 
obtained  from  President  McKinley  the  appointment 
of  a  politician's  son  from  the  district  designated  in 
Chester's  papers  relating  to  his  commission.  This 
destroyed  the  young  man 's  opportunity  and  blighted 
his  hope. 

"I  am  beaten!"  he  cried  aloud.  "What  can  I 
do?" 

"It's  a  trick!"  he  exclaimed,  "a  trick!  The  ex- 
aminer was  bound  to  beat  some  of  the  examined  to 
make  room  for  the  sons  of  certain  persons  he  fav- 
ored. He  chose  me  as  one  of  the  victims  because 
he  concluded  that  I  had  no  strong  influence." 

"I  wrote  to  Dorothy  that  I  expected  to  be  a  lieu- 
tenant. I  am  knocked  out  of  it ! — not  by  those  high 
in  authority  but  by  subordinates.  Colonel  Roose- 
velt would  have  given  me  the  place  if  it  had  been 
in  his  power.  Who  did  it?  The  man  in  charge  of 
the  examination." 

"I  didn't  fail  in  the  examination.    I  should  have 

128 


CHESTER  FENTON  MEETS  MISFORTUNE. 

passed  in  geometry  and  algebra  if  he  had  not 
cheated  me — didn  't  even  allow  me  to  finish.  He  threw 
me  down!" 

For  days  he  walked  the  streets,  continually  be- 
wailing his  illfortune.  He  also  wrote  a  number  of 
letters  to  members  of  congress  and  to  army  officers 
with  whom  he  had  become  acquainted  while  at  San- 
tiago. Notwithstanding,  he  received  no  satisfactory 
response.  At  length  he  gave  up  all  hope  and  deter- 
mined to  go  westward. 

In  the  latter  part  of  October  he  was  again  in  San 
Diego.  He  thought  of  seeking  employment,  yet  his 
heart  led  him  to  visit  San  Ysidra. 

"I  must  learn,"  he  declared,  "how  matters  are 
now  progressing." 

He  could  not  refrain  from  the  thought  that  the 
•  death  of  Mrs.  Strathmore  placed  Dorothy  in  an  em- 
barrassing position.  Moreover,  he  wished  to  ascer- 
tain what  reception  awaited  him  from  the  chief  of 
the  island. 

"I  must  find  out  how  things  are,"  he  sighed. 
"Otherwise  I  cannot  live." 

After  the  passing  of  a  number  of  days,  he  stood 
on  the  soil  of  Mexico  at  a  point  fronting  San  Ysidra, 
gazing  upon  its  low-lying  cliffs. 

"How  am  I  going  to  get  across,"  he  appealed. 
"No  boat,  no  nothing." 

In  a  strangely  unsettled,  nerveless  condition  for 
hours  he  wandered  up  and  down  the  beach,  his  eyes 
chiefly  turned  in  one  direction. 

129 


SHACKLES    CAST 

' '  Of  course,  I  know  it  would  bother  me  to  get  over ; 
there  is  no  other  way  except  to  come  and  abide  my 
chance." 

Tired  at  last,  he  sat  down  on  the  earth  where  it 
overlooked  the  water.  His  gaze  was  steadily  directed 
toward  the  land  of  enchantment. 

"A  craft  is  coming  this  way!"  he  exclaimed,  after 
some  hours  had  passed.  "I  see  it  plainly.  It's  more 
than  half  way  across. ' ' 

Anxiously  he  waited  and  watched.  It  was  later 
when  suddenly  he  sprang  from  the  ground  and  with 
glistening  eyes  cried  out : 

"  Strathmore 's  launch  and  no  mistake!" 

A  creaking  and  grinding  of  wheels  behind  him 
attracted  his  attention.  Turning  about  he  saw  a 
Mexican  carreta,  drawn  by  a  yoke  of  oxen,  coming 
down  the  trail  toward  the  landing. 

It  was  a  clumsy  cart.  The  animals  which  drew 
it  were  placed  between  heavy  shafts.  Each  wheel 
was  a  solid  wooden  roller,  cut  from  the  body  of  a 
huge  sycamore  tree— no  spokes,  hubs  nor  tires,  the 
axle  projecting  through  a  central  hole. 

"Stuff  for  the  island,"  he  commented,  as  he  no- 
ticed that  it  was  heavily  laden.  "That  explains 
the  coming  of  Strathmore." 

When  the  boat  swung  around  to  a  spot  chosen 
for  a  landing-place,  the  King  of  the  Lonelies  stepped 
out.  Chester  went  toward  him. 

"Hello!"  cried  Strathmore.  "Thought  you  were 
with  the  army." 

130 


CHESTER  FENTON  MEETS  MISFORTUNE. 

"So  I  was,"  returned  the  young  man.  "But  now 
it  is  disbanded." 

'  *  Oh,  that 's  it.  Well,  if  you  want  to  go  across  with 
me,  take  hold  and  help  to  load  this  plunder,  then 
we '11  start." 

Filled  with  rejoicing  at  the  man's  bearing,  Ches- 
ter began  to  carry  out  the  proposed  conditions  with 
zealous  movement.  Strathmore  had  brought  one  of 
his  herders,  so  with  the  driver  of  the  oxen,  there 
were  four  workers.  This  resulted  in  a  rapid  ex- 
change of  the  commodities  from  the  carreta  to  the 
craft.  This  done,  the  three  who  were  to  make  the 
trip  to  the  island  went  aboard. 

"Sit  there,  Fenton,"  directed  the  master.  "Take 
in  the  scenery  and  enjoy  sailing  across." 

Strathirorc,  taking  charge  of  the  tiller,  the  herder 
handling  the  motor,  the  vessel  soon  swung  away 
from  the  shore  into  the  gently  swelling  waters  of 
the  Pacific.  When  it  reached  the  little  cove  near 
the  dwelling  on  San  Ysidra,  the  western  sun  was 
tinging  the  island  with  gold,  imparting  to  its  ver- 
dure a  beauty  indefinable.  Beckoning  to  Chester, 
King  Oscar  led  the  way  to  the  home.  When  they 
had  entered,  motioning  toward  a  chair,  he  spoke  in 
a  low  tone : 

"Sit.    Supper  will  be  ready  after  awhile." 

Turning  towards  the  door,  he  was  about  to  leave 
the  room  when  he  abruptly  swung  around  and, 
drawing  a  roll  of  unopened  papers  from  his  pocket, 

131 


SHACKLES    CAST 

he  dropped  them  in  the  young  man 's  lap.  Speaking 
again  in  an  unsteady  voice,  he  remarked: 

"Take  off  the  covers  and  read." 

Left  alone  Chester  sat  in  a  state  of  tremor  and 
anxiety,  believing  that  Dorothy  would  at  once  make 
her  appearance.  With  hesitating,  yet  impatient 
tread,  he  moved  around  the  apartment.  Knowing 
how  to  reach  the  kitchen,  his  thought  prompted  him 
to  go  there.  Entering,  he  unexpectedly  ran  against 
a  Chinese  cook,  whose  bobbing  head  was  jauntily 
attired  with  a  little  white  cap.  He  was  kneading 
dough  in  a  wooden  trough. 

"Huh!"  grunted  the  peril,  "you  comee  dis  place? 
Boss  know  you  comee?" 

"Yes,"  replied  Chester.  "I  came  with  Strath- 
more.  Where's  Dorothy?" 

The  Chinman  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  shook 
his  head  until  his  cap  seemed  in  danger  of  precipi- 
tation into  the  dough. 

"Dollie — tee?    Me  no  savvy." 

Gazing  steadily  upon  Chester,  he  puckered  his  al- 
mond orbs  and  again  gave  emphatic  denial  with  his 
head. 

"Boss  in  loom?"  he  asked,  pointing  in  the  direc- 
tion Chester  had  come. 

As  Fenton  shook  his  head,  the  yellow  peril  did  the 
same. 

"Alsk  boss,"  he  finally  muttered,  thrusting  his 
whitened  fingers  into  the  plastic  mass  before  him. 
"Boss  know." 

132 


CHESTER  FENTON  MEETS   MISFORTUNE. 

"Know!  Of  course  he  knows,"  impatiently  re- 
torted the  youth,  turning  away. 

* '  Huh ! ' '  concluded  the  worker  in  dough.  '  *  Go  fine 
she." 

In  thise  case,  "she"  indicated  the  proprietor,  but 
the  caller  quickly  left  the  culinary  apartment  to 
continue  his  search.  He  hastened  through  other  por- 
tions of  the  house  breathing,  sometimes  speaking 
aloud,  the  name  "Dorothy."  Still  he  could  not  find 
the  object  of  his  quest.  At  length  he  returned  to 
the  room  where  Strathmore  had  left  him  and  again 
sat  down.  Then  he  tore  off  the  cover  of  one  of  the 
papers  and  began  to  read. 

Any  trifling  sound  or  stir  caused  him  to  raise  his 
eyes  and  look  around  the  room.  The  brushing  of 
the  leaves  of  a  shrub  over  the  outside  of  a  window 
pane  was  sufficient  to  call  him  from  his  seat  and 
enter  upon  a  voyage  of  inquiry.  This  and  other  un- 
explained sounds  led  to  a  number  of  trips  which 
ended  in  a  failure  to  learn  the  whereabouts  of  Dor- 
othy. 

By  the  time  the  king  and  his  followers  came  in 
for  the  evening  meal,  Chester  had  worked  himself  in- 
to a  nervous  condition  of  high  tension.  When  all 
sat  up  to  the  table,  there  was  no  Dorothy,  no  woman 
present,  the  Chinaman  placing  the  food  in  order 
and  serving  as  a  waiter.  The  youth  kept  glancing 
about  as  if  he  expected  to  see  the  girl  enter  the 
room.  His  appetite  failed  and  it  was  with  some 
difficulty  that  he  choked  down  any  of  the  food  placed 

133 


SHACKLES    CAST 

before  him.  From  time  to  time  he  looked  inquir- 
ingly at  Strathmore  hoping  he  might  offer  an  ex- 
planation of  the  maiden's  absence. 

After  all  had  withdrawn  from  the  table  the  pro- 
prietor turned  to  Fenton  and  made  the  simple  re- 
mark: 

''You  may  occupy  the  room  that  you  had  when 
you  were  here  before." 

"Thank  you,"  returned  the  guest,  his  reply  seem- 
ing like  a  query,  for  his  mind  was  wholly  absorbed 
by  the  remembrance  of  Dorothy. 

One  by  one  the  workers  of  the  ranch  passed  out, 
until  Strathmore  and  Chester  were  the  sole  occu- 
pants of  the  apartment.  Unable  to  contain  himself 
longer,  the  youth  broached  the  subject  of  his  pre- 
ponderating thought. 

"Is  Dorothy  away  from  home?" 

"Dorothy?    Yes,  I  thought  you  knew." 

Chester  arose.  There  was  something  in  the  tone 
of  the  response — something  in  the  lineaments  and 
pose  of  the  countenance  of  King  Oscar  which  pro- 
foundly moved  the  youth. 

"Knew!"  he  faltered.  Knew?  What  do  you 
mean?" 

Strathmore  had  sprung  to  his  feet.  With  a  sweep 
of  his  arm  and  a  voice  that  crashed  into  the  soul  of 
Chester,  he  answered: 

"She  is  gone!  Kan  away  with  an  English  Count!" 
"Kan  away!"  echoed  the  other,  quivering  vio- 
lently and  turning  ghastly  pale.     Gripping  his  in- 

134 


CHESTER  FENTON  MEETS  MISFORTUNE. 

formant  by  the  arm,  he  craved  in  broken  tones,  "tell 
me  what  you  mean?" 

"The  yacht  of  a  lousy  Englishman  calling  him- 
self Count  Distairre  was  driven  on  the  island  by 
stress  of  weather.  I  took  the  rascal  in  and  cared 
for  him,  housing  his  boat  until  the  storm  had  passed. 
He  rewarded  me  by  stealing  my  daughter!" 

"She  went  off  with  him?"  asked  Chester,  his  face 
ashy  white  and  marked  by  strange  contortions, ' '  and 
married  him?" 

"I  suppose  she  married  him!"  slowly  replied  the 
island  ranchman.  "If  I  ever  run  across  him,  he'll 
prove  up — or — 

The  stepfather,  his  eyes  blazing  with  a  fierce  light, 
grated  his  teeth  and  strongly  clenched  his  hands,  his 
face  wreathing  with  an  apparent  deadly  look. 

"You'll  kill  him! — for  if  he  has  betrayed  her,  I 
will  kill  him, ' '  pronounced  the  young  man,  releasing 
his  hold  upon  the  other  and  sinking  back  into  his 
chair. 

He  sat  but  a  moment,  when  springing  to  his  feet, 
he  took  great  strides  across  the  room,  then  back, 
holding  his  hands  pressed  to  the  sides  of  his  head. 
Thus  he  walked  for  some  minutes.  At  length, 
Strathmore,  brushing  his  eyes  in  a  quick,  impulsive 
manner,  stepped  aside  and  passing  through  the  door 
left  Chester  to  bear  his  grief  alone.  Soon  he  returned 
and  impressively  set  forth : 

"I  had  it  in  mind  to  leave  you  and  Dorothy  this 
island  ranch.  She  has  gone  back  on  me.  If  you 

135 


SHACKLES    CAST 

stay  here  and  become  a  son  to  me,  you  shall  in  time 
have  it  all." 

Chester  looked  up.  He  was  suffering  unspeakable 
anguish.  Not  a  tear  seemed  moistening  his  eyes,  for 
his  feelings  were  beyond  much  palliation.  His  set 
gaze  rested  on  Strathmore  for  a  moment,  while  his 
lips  remained  silent ;  then  with  a  voice  ungovernably 
vibrant,  he  replied: 

"You  are  kind — good — but  I  don't  know  that  I 
could  stand  it — I  don't  know." 

"Well,  take  time  to  think  it  over." 

The  ranchman  then  withdrew. 


136 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

FENTON   DREAMS   ABOUT   SUICIDE. 

Left  alone,  Chester  dropped  into  a  chair.     His 
head  sank  into  his  hands.    For  a  long  time  he  re- 
mained thus,  occasionally  uttering  words: 
" Dorothy,  did  you  run?" 

It  was  a  half -hour  or  more  before  he  arose  and 
went  out.  Passing  to  th6  places  which  formerly  had 
been  sacred  to  him,  he  came  to  the  arbor  where  he 
had  declared  his  love.  The  sun  was  gone  and  the 
moon  alone  was  pouring  light  through  the  entrance. 
Going  in,  he  stood  for  some  minutes  by  the  little 
wicker  bench  where  he  and  his  loved  one  had  sat. 
Kneeling  down,  he  stretched  out  his  arms  over  the 
woven  osiers. 

''Dorothy,  dear,"  he  wailed,  "did  you  leave  me?" 
Raising  his  hands  heavenward,  he  clasped  them, 
holding  them  thus  for  some  minutes. 
"Dorothy,  did  you  mean  to  fool- 
He  sprang  to  his  feet.    The  idea  had  come  to  his 
mind  with  a  rush.    For  a  moment  he  gazed  on  the 
overhanging  vines  clustering  the  doorway. 

"Never!"  he  despaired.  "She  was  honest,  true 
and  good.  The  man  who  came  here  was  the  deceiver. 
He—" 

137 


SHACKLES    CAST 

Standing  for  a  minute  wringing  his  hands,  he 
suddenly  burst  forth: 

"No,  no,  no.    Not  Dorothy!" 

He  turned  around  and  kneeling  down  placed  his 
cheek  against  that  part  of  the  osier  seat  where  his 
beloved  had  rested. 

"Dorothy!  It  was  not  your  fault!"  he  moaned, 
a  little  later,  looking  about  the  arbor.  "Leave  me, 
base  thought!" 

At  a  later  hour  when  he  thought  a  due  considera- 
tion of  Strathmore  and  his  helpers  required  him  to 
enter  the  house  and  retire  to  his  room,  he  did  so,  but 
not  to  find  rest.  For  a  long  time  he  sat  up  in  a  large 
chair,  his  body  swaying  back  and  forth.  At  length 
he  lay  down ;  yet  he  did  not  close  his  eyes  for  sleep. 
He  tossed  restlessly — and  during  the  hours  interven- 
ing between  his  retirement  and  sunrise,  a  time  which 
to  him  seemed  interminable,  tears  streamed  over  his 
cheeks,  wetting  the  pillow  on  which  his  head  lay. 
The  stroke  had  fallen  on  his  boyhood  love — a  love 
that  had  sunk  deeply  into  his  heart  and  soul,  holding 
him  captive  with  unyielding  bands.  It  seemed  to  him 
that  everything  in  life  had  gone,  that  to  live  longer 
were  undesirable,  superflous. 

"Nothing!  Nothing  more!"  he  cried  aloud. 
*  *  There  is  nothing  left  in  life !  Why  should  I  make 
further  struggle?" 

Then  he  arose  from  the  bed  and  walked  the  floor. 

"Dorothy  gone!  What  is  left?  What?  Abso- 
lutely nothing!" 

138 


FENTON  DREAMS  ABOUT  SUICIDE. 

Putting  his  hands  back  of  his  head,  he  continued 
pacing  the  floor,  muttering  wildly  as  he  moved : 

"I  want  to  die!" 

Suddenly  he  stopped  and  gazed  about  in  the  dim 
light. 

"I  wish  a  Spaniard  had  struck  me  in  the  heart  in- 
stead of  my  arm ! ' ' 

With  the  first  lines  of  day,  he  was  up  and  out  of 
doors.  Strathmore  noted,  but  very  carefully  kept 
out  of  view. 

"Let  him  wrestle  it  out,"  he  mused.  "It  seized 
me  mighty  bad  at  first — banged  if  I  knew  what  I 
was  about — but  time  helps  things — a  little. ' ' 

A  day  or  two  passed  and  Chester  was  sitting  with 
King  Oscar. 

"San  Ysidra  is  about  right,  isn't  it?"  asked  the 
latter. 

"It  is  beautiful,  indeed — and  the  products — all 
things  are  exceedingly  good." 

"Then  call  off  trouble  and  let  good  cheer  steal 
upon  you  for  a  round  or  two." 

"I  wish  I  could.  But  Dorothy — she  was  everything 
for  me ! " 

"And  for  me,  young  man.  After  Maggie  died, 
that  girl  carried  sunshine  into  every  corner  of  the 
house  and  in  a  measure  drove  sorrow  out ! ' ' 

These  words  absorbed  Chester  who  unconsciously 
placed  his  hand  on  Strathmore 's  arm.  Removing  it 
his  eyes  filled  with  moisture,  although  he  struggled 
to  hold  himself  in  check. 

139 


SHACKLES    CAST 

''But  she  went  away,"  he  sighed. 

" Coaxed  away,  cajoled  away,  lured  away!  But 
we've  got  to  stand  all  that — unless  I  overhaul  the 
cuss!" 

"You  or  I!" 

"Well,  one  of  us.  I  have  whacked  myself  a  hun- 
dred times  because  I  didn't  let  you  take  her  when 
you  were  here.  But  that  opportunity  has  gone." 

"Oh,  if  you  had!  How  different  it  would  be !  Oh, 
how  different!" 

*  *  Certainly ;  but  the  thing  is  done — and  we  may  as 
well  take  a  good  brace. ' ' 

"Do  you  think  it?"  mechanically  answered 
Chester. 

"Get  busy  around  the  place  and  let  up  a  little  on 
trouble.  See?" 

"Maybe,  Mr.  Strathmore.  You  are  very  kind  to 
me.  Your  offer  is  one  that  fills  me  with  gratitude — 
it  is  so  bountiful,  so  kind — yet— 

"There  comes  the  'yet!'  Shake  it  off,  Fenton, 
shake  it  off!" 

"I  cannot,  try  as  I  will.  I  think  that  I  must  go 
away  somewhere — see  if  I  can  feel  differently.  Then 
I  may  be  able — " 

"Very  well,  very  well.  In  a  couple  of  days  I  am 
going  to  Parks  and  I  will  take  you  over  if  you  then 
think  as  you  do  to-day." 

Parks  is  the  name  given  to  the  landing,  and  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  proposition  of  King  Oscar,  on  the 

140 


FENTON  DREAMS  ABOUT  SUICIDE. 

third  day  following  Chester  crossed  from  the  island 
to  that  place. 

'  *  Get  straightened,  then  come  back  to  San  Ysidra. 
Afterwards  we'll  move  along  together,"  quoth  his 
host,  as  Fenton  stepped  ashore. 

"Mr.  Strathmore,  I  can  never  forget  your  kind- 
ness— it  will  stay  with  me,"  exclaimed  the  youth, 
grasping  his  hand.  "Good-by." 

"Good-by  for  awhile.  I  shall  be  looking  for  you 
—so  don't  stay  away  long." 

After  he  had  landed,  Chester  struck  out  upon  the 
trail  which  led  up  to  the  foothills,  thence  toward  the 
north.  Thus  he  tramped  to  reach  San  Diego.  On  a 
morning,  clear  and  beautiful,  he  was  near  that  city. 
The  cry  of  a  bird  arrested  his  attention.  Glancing 
upward,  he  saw  a  hawk  in  swift  flight  after  a  Cali- 
fornia woodpecker.  The  latter  in  full  career  struck 
a  telegraph  wire  and  fell  fluttering  at  his  feet.  The 
bird  of  prey,  sailing  in  a  broad  curve,  avoided  the 
fate  of  its  victim  and  began  to  soar  away.  He  had 
drawn  his  revolver  and  instantly  making  a  dis- 
charge, the  hawk,  after  a  momentary  struggle,  fell 
in  tortuous  revolution  to  the  earth. 

Chester  went  to  where  the  pretty  woodpecker  lay 
with  broken  wing.  It  writhed  around  in  circles. 
Picking  up  the  little  creature,  he  gently  placed  the 
shattered  limb  in  its  natural  position.  Darting  his 
eyes  toward  the  fallen  hawk,  he  muttered : 

"The  work  of  Distairre  over  again!" 

Some  minutes  passed  before  he  put  the  wounded 

141    - 


SHACKLES    CAST 

bird  in  a  soft  bed  of  moss.  Then  he  walked  forward 
and  entered  San  Diego. 

"How  different  everything  looks!"  he  cried. 

Before  entering  the  business  part  of  the  city,  he 
thought  he  would  walk  around  to  some  of  his  for- 
mer visiting  places.  Beaching  the  railroad  tracks, 
a  freight  train  eastward  bound,  was  switching  cars 
back  and  forth.  A  sudden  impulse  to  leave  the  West 
seized  him ;  so  he  climbed  into  the  ice-box  of  a  fruit 
car  bound  for  a  city  on  the  Missouri  river.  It  was  so 
late  in  the  year  that  ice  was  not  used ;  he  therefore 
rode  uninterrupted  for  some  hundreds  of  miles. 

He  had  several  stops  and  each  time  was  imperiled 
by  the  thought  of  suicide.  After  the  lapse  of  weeks, 
he  was  at  Portrance,  a  town  of  Kansas.  Penniless, 
for  all  his  savings  had  slipped  from  him,  he  walked 
along  the  neatly  kept  streets.  Somewhat  wearied,  he 
stopped  before  a  brightly  illuminated  department 
store,  looking  at  the  window  display  while  in  a 
deeply  thoughtful  mood. 

' '  I  am  hanging  on  and  dragging  around, ' '  he  mut- 
tered— "but  what's  the  use.  There's  nothing  invit- 
ing me.  I  was  given  a  lieutenancy  for  services  ren- 
dered. Dear  Eoosevelt  figured  for  me,  but  I  was 
knocked  out!" 

In  a  few  minutes,  he  murmured : 

"Dorothy  was  stolen!" 

Shaking  his  head  in  bitterness  of  spirit,  he  walked 
on  until  he  came  to  the  electric  light  plant.  Again  he 
halted  and  looked  aimlessly  around. 

142 


FENTON  DREAMS  ABOUT  SUICIDE. 

"I  won't  blame  her,"  he  breathed,  "but  it  left  me 
>> 

"By  jings!"  cried  a  voice.  "Ef  there  ain't  the 
Santa  Fe  kid!" 

Chester  whirled  around  and  the  Arizona  copper 
magnate  was  before  him. 

'  *  Je-roos-lum ! ' '  continued  the  hobo,  * '  I  left  you  at 
a  good  ranch — and  here  you  turn  up  in  Portrance." 

Chester  did  not  reply  but  stood  looking  at  the 
unwelcome  individual. 

"Look-a-yere,  Santa  Fe.  Hev  ye  lost  yer  jaw 
rag?" 

"No — but  I  wasn't  looking  for  you  just  now." 

"Allus  drop  in  when  folks  ain't  a  lookin'  fer  me. 
See?" 

"I  don't  know." 

"Ben  to  grub?" 

' l  Not  this  evening. ' ' 

"Come  on,  then.    We'll  go  an' fill  up." 

Saying  this,  he  led  the  way  into  a  cheap  restaurant 
Taking  one  of  the  high  seats  around  a  long,  painted 
counter,  he  motioned  Chester  to  a  place  beside  him. 

"Climb  up,"  he  smacked. 

"Say,"  he  called  out  to  a  frowzy-headed  waiter, 
"set  on  a  double  header  fer  me  an'  this  yere  gentle- 
man." 

Having  eaten  an  inferior  meal,  they  arose  and 
went  forth. 

"Le's  go  an'  take  in  the  town,"  prompted  the 
Splint. 

143 


SHACKLES    CAST 

Both  meandered  forth  upon  the  street.  They 
walked  around  block  after  block  of  the  business  sec- 
tion. Chester  noted  that  his  companion  stopped  a 
long  time  before  the  windows  of  some  stores.  At  dif- 
ferent angles  he  peaked  into  their  interiors.  The 
two  lingered  for  some  minutes  in  front  of  the  post- 
office,  whose  doors  were  closed  for  the  night ;  yet  all 
lights  being  extinguished  except  one  in  the  rear, 
through  the  openings  of  the  glass  boxes  they  saw  the 
master  put  a  tray  of  coin  and  other  articles  into  a 
safe — a  small,  cheap  looking  affair. 

"Come  on  back  to  whar  I  met  ye,"  twanged  the 
hobo.  "Thar's  a  daisy  warm  place  thar — back  uv 
the  bilers.  Git  a  nap  wuth  havin ' ! " 

Going  to  the  electric  light  plant,  they  passed 
around  from  the  front  to  a  rear  entrance.  Men 
within  were  busy  stuffing  coal  into  the  flaming  mael- 
stroms. In  the  flashes  of  light  issuing  from  open 
fire-doors,  they  appeared  like  imps  of  darkness, 
wearing  but  little  clothing,  although  their  heads  were 
swathed  in  red  bandannas.  Not  speaking  a  word  the 
two  slipped  into  a  narrow  passage  between  the  wall 
and  the  ends  of  the  steam  generators  and  crawled  on 
a  shelving  of  earth  that  lay  behind  yet  not  far  dis- 
tant from  the  boilers.  Stretching  themselves  out, 
they  soon  fell  asleep. 

After  some  hours  had  elapsed  and  Chester  was  in 
profound  slumber,  he  slowly  became  cognizant  of  a 
shaking  from  a  grasp  upon  his  shoulder. 
;  Quit ! "  he  muttered.    * '  Quit,  I  tell  you ! ' ' 

144 


<  1 I 


FENTON  DREAMS  ABOUT  SUICIDE. 

Notwithstanding  his  remonstrance,  the  disturbance 
continued,  while  a  voice  whispered  huskily  in  his 
ear: 

"Keep  quiet  and  git  awake !  Do  you  hear?  Wake 
yourself ! ' ' 

The  persistent  vibration  aroused  the  young  man 
at  last  so  that  he  sat  up. 

"What's  the  matter?"  he  demanded. 

"Say,"  muffled  the  voice  of  the  tramp  from 
Arizona,  "git  up  an'  come  along  uv  me." 

"What  for?"  he  asked,  rubbing  his  eyes. 

"Come,  an'  I'll  let  ye  know,"  low  toned  the  hobo. 

Although  stupid  with  sleep,  Fenton  obeyed  by  ris- 
ing to  his  feet.  The  Splint  leading,  they  crept  back 
and  out  upon  the  street. 

"What  now?"  peremptorily  questioned  Chester. 

' '  Seein '  as  ye  're  short  on  cart-wheels,  made  up  my 
mind  to  git  ye  some." 

"Do  you  mean  money?" 

"Er  course!  What  the  -  -  did  ye  reckon  I 
meant?" 

*  *  I  don 't  want  any — can  earn  all  I  need, ' '  declared 
Chester,  the  prowling  in  the  darkness  causing  a 
vague  fear  to  steal  over  him. 

"Look-a-yere!"  growled  the  other,  spinning  sav- 
agely around,  "I've  toted  on  the  level — an'  so '11  ye, 
by  -  — ,  er  suthin'  ull  break  loose.  I've  got  a  little 
pickin'  ter  do." 

' '  What  do  you  mean  ? ' ' 

"Come  ahead." 

145 


SHACKLES    CAST 

With  irresolute  movement,  Chester  followed.  He 
had  not  fully  aroused  from  slumber  and  yawned  at 
almost  every  step.  But  as  he  dragged  himself  along, 
a  substitute  consciousness  seemed  to  present  itself 
with  some  slight  carelessness. 

"Perhaps  it  makes  no  difference,"  he  thought. 
"I'll  see  what  he  means." 

They  reached  an  alley  and  entered  it.  After  they 
had  proceeded  along  its  contracted  course  the  dis- 
tance of  a  half-block,  looking  forth  for  a  moment  the 
leader  mumbled: 

"I've  got  a  job  yere — an'  I've  got  to  hev  a  look- 
out. Seel" 

* '  A  lookout  f    I  can 't  play  the  devil ! ' ' 

The  rascal  drew  a  thirty-four  Colt  from  his  pocket 
and  held  it  close  to  Fenton  's  face. 

"You're  going  to  help  me — Er  I'll  git  even  with 
ye!" 

*  *  Show  me  what  you  mean. ' ' 

"I'll  show  ye." 

Without  another  moment's  hesitation,  he  took 
from  his  clothing  a  bunch  of  skeleton  keys  and  be- 
gan to  pick  the  lock  of  an  outer  door,  looking  around 
every  few  seconds  at  his  so-called  "pard."  It  was 
the  rear  opening  of  the  postoffice ;  although  this  fact 
was  at  the  time  unknown  to  Chester.  The  common 
rim  mechanism  which  he  attacked  quickly  yielded. 

'  *  Now  your  life  and  mine  depends  on  watchin '.  Do 
ye  hear?  Ef  any  one  comes  along,  put  yer  block  in 
this  yere  door  an '  whistle.  Ketch  on  f " 

146 


FENTON  DREAMS  ABOUT  SUICIDE. 

"No  I  don't.    I  don't  like  the  job." 

* '  Say !  By ! "  he  growled,  again  drawing  his 

revolver.  "Ef  ye  don't  help  I'll  put  a  ball  through 
ye — an'  ef  ye  give  me  away,  I've  got  pals  that'll 
split  ye!" 

Shaking  his  fist  he  disappeared.  Chester  waited 
with  impatience.  He  walked  back  and  forth,  and  at 
one  time  went  to  the  farther  end  of  the  alley.  Every- 
thing was  still  and  he  could  detect  neither  stir  nor 
movement.  While  he  stood  gazing  down  the  street, 
he  determined  to  slip  away.  As  he  began  to  move,  a 
dull  explosion  occurred.  For  some  reason  he  ran 
back  to  the  partially  open  door.  Scarcely  had  he 
reached  it  when  the  hobo  came  running  out : 

' '  Come  along ! "  he  growled.    l  '  Move  yer  stumps. ' ' 

Without  a  word,  Chester  followed  his  flying  com- 
panion. The  quick  movement  was  continued  until 
they  struck  the  railroad  track. 

"  Yere,"  muffled  the  Splint,  handing  Chester  a  roll 
of  paper, '  *  take  this  an '  shove  it  in  your  pocket.  It  '11 
help  ye  to  spondulix." 

A  barking  of  dogs  and  a  mingling  of  men's  voices 
reached  their  ears. 

"They're  on  the  move,  cuss  'em,"  howled  the 
tramp.  ' '  We  '11  have  to  be  lively. ' ' 

"Thar  warn't  no  money — but  take  this,"  he  cau- 
tioned, handing  him  a  silver  dollar.  "It'll  perwide 
grub  fer  awhile." 

* '  Say,  we  'd  better  git  apart — you  hike  one  way  an ' 
me  tother — an'  min'  ye,  mum's  the  word." 

147 


SHACKLES    CAST 

Chester  stood  listening  but  made  no  reply. 

11  Which  way  do  ye  want  ter  stretch?  It  ain't 
more'n  two  o'clock.  By  daylight  we  kin  be  clink 
outer  these  diggin's." 

"I  will  go  in  this  direction,"  determined  Chester, 
pointing  north. 

"S'long.    Remember,  there's  no  squealinV 


148 


CHAPTER  XV. 

CHESTER  IS  SEIZED  BY  A  DETECTIVE. 

"Better  go  on  to  the  next  town,"  bit  the  hobo  in 
a  low  blare,  turning  back.  * '  Ye  '11  find  it  a  good  place 
to  git  a  hand-out. ' ' 

Chester  took  the  middle  of  the  track. 

"My  stars!"  he  incised.  "What  a  pity  I  struck 
that  whelp!" 

He  had  walked  some  distance  when  he  heard  the 
beating  of  horses  feet  on  the  highway  which  ran  be- 
side the  railroad.  He  stood  and  listened.  Men's 
voices,  seemingly  in  anger,  soon  became  audible 
above  the  hoofbeat. 

"Maybe  they  are  after  the  thief,"  he  whispered. 

It  was  not  many  minutes  before  three  horsemen 
came  plunging  down  a  neighboring  hill.  Chester 
stepped  aside  and  went  part  down  the  embankment. 
The  night  riders  passed  on  the  opposite  side. 

Soon  the  electric  lights  of  a  prairie  village  ap- 
peared on  the  starlit  horizon.  When  he  reached  it, 
the  darkness  of  night  still  overhung  the  earth.  Think- 
ing it  gave  an  opportunity  to  evade  the  horsemen,  he 
passed  on. 

"I  will  go  to  the  next  place,  at  least  that  far — I 
will  get  away  from  the  doings  of  that  hobo. ' ' 

"If  he  ever  meets  me  again,"  Chester  decided 

149 


SHACKLES    CAST 

after  tramping  some  distance  farther,  "I  will  give 
him  the  grand  bounce. ' ' 

11  There  comes  the  daylight,"  he  said,  looking  at 
the  grayish  tinge  in  the  eastern  sky.  "I  think  that  I 
may  venture  something  to  eat  in  the  next  town. ' ' 

When  the  flaming  rays  that  shot  upward  from  the 
rising  sun  became  strong  enough  for  him  to  read,  he 
drew  from  his  pocket  the  roll  of  paper  given  to  him 
by  his  late  companion.  Untwisting  the  outer  cover, 
he  gave  a  jump  to  one  side  as  if  he  were  stung. 

'  *  Stamps ! "  he  cried. "  "  The  scamp  handed  over 
what  would  convict  me  of  looting  a  post-office ! ' ' 

Looking  around  to  see  if  any  one  was  in  sight,  he 
slid  down  the  embankment  to  a  culvert  beneath  the 
track.  Into  that  he  tossed  the  offending  bundle.  He 
then  clambered  back  to  the  track  and  continued  his 
course. 

1  'I  am  not  going  to  be  made  a  victim  that  easy," 
he  declared.  "I  am  not  very  particular  as  to  what 
happens,  but — " 

He  hesitated  and  looked  about  upon  the  neighbor- 
ing fields  with  eyes  full  of  sadness. 

' '  All  may  go  to  pot ! "  he  muttered.  ' '  Just  as  soon 
die!— Dorothy!" 

The  lone  traveler  was  nearing  a  village  settlement. 
On  the  outskirts  along  the  railroads,  he  came  to  an 
eating-house — one  of  a  doubtful  kind.  Still  he 
entered  and  sat  down  on  one  of  the  counter-seats. 
After  taking  breakfast  he  passed  out  and  going  back 
up  the  roadway,  lay  down  in  a  grove  by  the  rails  op- 

150 


CHESTER  IS  SEIZED  BY  A  DETECTIVE. 

posite  the  village.  Lingering  there  several  hours,  he 
noticed  that  at  times  horsemen  came  down  to  the  rail- 
road. They  seemed  to  be  watching  the  tracks. 

At  length  a  freight  train  pulled  in  and  began  shunt- 
ing cars  back  and  forth.  Awaiting  his  opportunity, 
he  climbed  a  refrigerator  car  and  slid  unobserved 
into  the  hatchway  of  the  ice-box.  In  this  he  rode  dur- 
ing the  day  and  the  following  night. 

Late  in  the  morning  that  succeeded,  the  train 
stopped  in  the  yards  of  a  capital  city.  Nearly  frozen 
with  the  raw  air  of  the  December  day  and  the  chilli- 
ness of  his  sleeping  berth,  he  scrambled  out  upon  the 
roof  of  the  car  and  trainmen  not  being  in  sight,  he 
went  down  the  side-ladder  to  the  rails. 

Walking  up  the  track  and  through  the  depot  struc- 
ture, he  passed  a  man  wearing  a  sealskin  cap,  who 
stood  talking  with  a  companion. 

"It  is  not  known  what  way  they  headed;  but  de- 
scriptions have  been  sent." 

He  stopped  and  fixed  his  eyes  upon  the  young 
traveler  who  was  passing.  Chester  went  on ;  yet  he 
had  proceeded  but  a  few  steps  further  when  he  was 
tapped  on  the  shoulder.  It  was  the  man  with  the  fur 
headgear : 

"Which  way?"  he  demanded. 

"Up  town,"  answered  Fenton. 

"Uptown?  You  don't  live  here.  Just  come  in  on 
this  train?" 

"What  of  it?" 

"Nothing — only  I  want  you  to  go  with  me." 

151 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"I  have  not  time — have  other  things  to  attend  to." 

"I  am  an  officer,"  announced  the  stranger,  expos- 
ing a  star.  "You'll  have  to  go  with  me,  quietly  if 
you  have  any  sense,  yet  go  you  will, ' '  he  rapped  out, 
grasping  Fenton's  arm  with  one  hand  while  with  the 
other  he  drew  a  revolver  from  his  hip  pocket. 

Chester  was  greatly  disturbed ;  yet  it  was  evident 
that  he  must  obey  the  demand  made  upon  him,  so  he 
replied : 

"Force  and  a  show  of  arms  are  unneccessary.  If 
you  have  authority  to  interfere  with  my  personal 
liberty,  I  am  ready  to  accompany  you. ' ' 

* '  Come  on,  then.  I  am  to  look  for  you  and  arrest 
you  on  sight." 

Leaving  the  station,  they  walked  to  police  head- 
quarters. Entering  the  public  room,  the  detective 
saluted  the  officer  at  the  desk. 

"Good  morning,  Sargeant.  I  have  brought  you  a 
level-up ! ' ' 

"So?    What's  the  charge?" 

"Why,  Brisbin,  I've  arrested  him  because  he  an- 
swers the  description  of  the  younger  of  the  bugs  who 
broke  into  the  post-office  at  Portrance.  That  makes 
the  charge  burglary.  He  got  off  the  freight  that 
pulled  into  the  depot  a  few  minutes  ago.  He  says  he 
didn't  come  from  that  place — but  the  train  did." 

Brisbin  looked  Chester  over,  then  consulted  a  sheet 
of  paper  which  he  took  out  of  a  drawer. 

1 '  Eight  you  are, ' '  he  declared.  "  He 's  the  bloomer 
wanted.  Show  him  to  Spence  and  then  fix  him  up. ' ' 

152 


CHESTER  IS  SEIZED  BY  A  DETECTIVE. 

Spence  was  another  detective.  After  examining 
Fenton,  he  also  pronounced  him  the  man  who  was 
checked. 

Before  committing  him  to  the  prisoners '  detention 
room,  the  two  officers  took  Fenton  into  small  apart- 
ment and  subjected  him  to  a  thorough  search.  In  the 
side  pocket  of  his  coat,  a  half-sheet  of  one  cent 
stamps  was  found. 

"What  er  ye  doin'  with  them  stamps?"  queried 
one  of  the  searchers. 

Chester's  face  turned  very  red  as  he  slowly  re- 
plied : 

"Not  doing  anything  with  them — did  not  know 
they  were  there." 

"Didn't !  Bust  a  safe  in  a  post-office  and  then  not 
know  what  you  took !  Mighty  thin — too  thin,  by  Jor- 
dan!" 

The  stamps  and  seventy-five  cents  in  silver  con- 
stituted all  of  value  found  upon  Chester's  person. 

After  more  bickering,  the  youth  was  locked  up  in 
a  compartment  where  a  dozen  criminals  clustered. 
The  next  morning  he  was  brought  before  the  United 
States  Commissioner. 

"You  are  charged  with  burglarizing  a  post-office 
at  Portrance,"  stated  the  judicial  officer.  "What 
have  you  to  say?" 

' '  That  I  did  no  such  thing, ' '  vehemently  answered 
the  young  man. 

"Were  you  in  Portrance  on  the  nineteenth?" 

"On  the  nineteenth?"  he  repeated,  uncertain  as  to 

153 


SHACKLES    CAST 

the  date.  "I  passed  through  Portrance  on  Wednes- 
day— if  that  was  the  nineteenth. ' ' 

" Passed  through?    Did  you  stop  there?" 

"Ye-es — awhile — because  I  wanted  something  to 
eat." 

"Did  you  have  a  companion  while  there?" 

"No,  I  didn't — that  is,  I  had  no  companion  when  I 
got  off  the  train.  While  in  Portrance  I  met  a  man 
whom  I  had  run  across  in  New  Mexico." 

"What  did  you  two  do?" 

1  i  Separated  after  awhile — and  I  came  on  here. ' ' 

"You  are  reported  to  have  had  stamps  in  your 
possession.  How  did  that  happen?" 

"I  don't  know." 

"Stamps  in  your  pocket  and  yet  not  known  how 
they  got  there  ?  You  will  be  held  for  trial  by  the  Dis- 
trict Court." 

Chester  winced — shrank  as  the  words  were  spoken. 

' l  Bailiff,  remove  the  prisoner, ' '  continued  the  com- 
missioner. 

This  was  a  terrible  blow  for  the  youth.  In  a  maze, 
he  sat  among  the  coarse  criminals  of  the  detention 
room.  The  ruthless  crowd  jeered  him,  hooted  at 
him,  applying  to  him  foul  and  beastly  epithets. 

"Let  me  alone!"  he  fiercely  shot  out,  wrenching 
himself  away  from  them. 

"Do  you  want  to  box?"  bawled  one,  taking  a 
pugilistic  attitude. 

Thus  things  went  on  in  a  manner  exceedingly 
rough.  Later  Chester  was  put  into  a  separate  cell. 

154 


CHESTER  IS  SEIZED  BY  A  DETECTIVE. 

During  a  number  of  the  days  following,  he  was  in- 
terviewed again  and  again,  by  so-called  detectives,  in 
an  effort  to  secure  from  him  a  confession  of  his  par- 
ticipation in  robbing  the  post-office  at  Portrance. 
Four  or  five  times  he  was  put  through  the  "sweat- 
box"  process  by  the  chief  of  police,  assisted  each 
time  by  a  different  person  supposed  to  move  the 
youth  from  his  affirmation  that  he  was  not  guilty  of 
the  robbery. 

"Give  him  the  third  degree  tomorrow  morning," 
the  chief  of  police  muttered  to  Cheffner,  the  captain 
of  detectives. 

The  one  addressed  nodded,  adding  a  significant 
dropping  of  his  eyelids. 

On  the  following  day  Fenton  was  conveyed  to  the 
county  jail.  When  there  he  was  escorted  to  an  iron 
bench  which  stood  against  the  wall  at  the  end  of  a 
cell  corridor.  Here  and  there  bleared  faces  were 
straining  through  barred  doors  endeavoring  to  see 
what  was  taking  place  at  the  end  of  the  hallway. 
Chester  had  not  eaten  any  breakfast,  had  simply 
drank  a  cup  of  coffee  which  he  had  been  urged  to  take 
before  being  led  to  the  seat  on  which  he  was  placed. 
His  head  became  strangely  muddled  and  he  sat  hold- 
ing it  in  his  hands. 

Presently  three  persons  whom  the  chief  of  police 
designated  respectively  the  catechist,  the  challenger, 
and  the  oracle,  came  along. 

"What's  the  meditation?"  demanded  the  oracle, 
tapping  Chester's  head. 

155 


SHACKLES    CAST 

The  brown  mass  of  hair  lifted,  the  eyes  gazed 
dimly  at  the  speaker ;  but  there  was  no  reply. 

"We  come  to  fix  up  that  business  of  the  post- 
office,"  loudly  threw  in  the  catechist.  "If  ye  want  a 
pardon  we  must  have  a  straight-forward  statement, 
so's  we  can  fix  it  up." 

Fenton  continued  to  gaze  without  reply. 

"Why  don't  ye  talk?  You  can't  win  out  anything 
by  shutting  yer  mouth  up  like  a  clam. ' ' 

Still  no  word  from  the  prisoner. 

"We  want  ye  to  say  how  ye  went  for  that  there 
safe — and  how  much  boodle  ye  got  hold  of. ' ' 

' '  I  didn  't  go  for  any  safe — got  no  boodle, ' '  slowly 
answered  Chester. 

"Josh!  There's  the  kid  that  busted  the  post- 
office  burglar-box!  But  the  fellow  that  helped  him 
isn't  there,"  came  in  a  deep  growl  from  a  dark  cell 
near  at  hand. 

Under  this  accusation  the  face  of  the  youth 
flushed ;  that  was  all.  It  must  be  added  that  his  brain 
was  whirling  in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  him  al- 
most unconscious.  From  his  condition  it  was  evi- 
dent that  some  drug  had  been  administered  in  the 
coffee  which  had  been  given  him. 

"The  guy  that  was  with  him  isn't  down  there," 
continued  to  howl  the  voice,  rising  to  a  higher  key. 

The  three  "custodians"  were  closely  watching 
every  manifestation  on  the  countenance  of  the  ac- 
cused. But  it  remained  somewhat  impassive;  the 
thought  that  he  was  being  victimized  had  seized  his 

156 


CHESTER  IS  SEIZED  BY  A  DETECTIVE. 

mind,  although  befogged,  and  it  had  caused  him  to 
make  every  effort  to  control  himself. 

4 'Say,  where's  that  Arizony  biff?"  slowly  pro- 
nounced another  voice,  for  Chester  had  told  them 
that  his  hobo  companion  at  Portrance  was  from  Ari- 
zona. 

' '  Gimme  that  nitro, ' '  came  in  a  gruff  tone  from  the 
first  cell  on  the  opposite  side. 

"Yere,"  was  the  reply. 

'  *  Hold  this ! ' '  came  again. 

A  few  seconds  and  a  loud  explosion  occurred — fol- 
lowed by  a  safe  door  being  flung  against  the  barred 
entrance  to  the  cell.  Muttered  exclamations  of  haste 
sounded  within ;  then  the  cry : 

* '  Hike 's  the  go !    Come  on ! " 

At  the  same  time  the  sheet  of  stamps  that  had 
been  secured  from  the  pocket  of  Chester  was  spread 
before  his  eyes;  while  one  of  his  inquisitors  had 
seized  his  arm  and  was  repeating: 

"Come  on!" 

Notwithstanding  this  realism,  the  youth,  in  spite  of 
his  beclouded  brain,  remained  comparatively  calm, 
looking  at  the  men  who  were  around  him  in  a  manner 
that  evidently  was  not  expected. 

Suddenly  hoots  of  derision  came  from  a  number 
of  the  cells  lower  down  the  corridor. 

"Tell  them  guys  that's  tryin'  to  work  ye,  to  go  to 
-!"  pealed  with  rasping  roughness  from  a  steel 
compartment  near  at  hand. 

"Temp!"  called  the  challenger  to  a  guard  who 

157 


SHACKLES    CAST 

was  at  the  father  end  of  the  corridor,  "cool  that 
fellow!" 

"Ay-ay,"  was  the  response. 

In  a  minute  the  ever-ready  water-hose  was  playing 
with  swift  discharge  into  the  place  whence  the  re- 
buff had  come.  Yells  and  curses  issued  forth  in  fierce 
volume. 

"See  here,  Fenton,"  piped  the  challenger,  "you've 
got  sand,  but  don't  go  too  far  or  you'll  strike  some- 
thing solid." 

"I  do  not  know  what  you  mean." 

"You're  bluffin'  on  this  deal.  You  broke  into  that 
box  down  at  Portrance  an'  stole  the  stuff  an'  stamps, 
an'  you  know  it." 

"I  did  not  do  what  you  are  charging.  That  is 
what  I  know. ' ' 

The  degree  was  pushed  some  time  longer,  but  re- 
sulted in  nothing  for  the  authorities. 

As  a  last  resort,  an  appeal  was  made  to  a  profes- 
sor holding  the  chair  of  psychology  in  an  eastern  uni- 
versity. This  person  had  recently  announced  a 
means  of  detecting  criminality  through  a  process  of 
question  and  answer. 

A  list  of  words  is  the  basis  of  the  test.  Many  are 
commonplace,  but  at  unexpected  intervals  they  give 
way  to  those  closely  associated  with  the  crime.  Pro- 
nounced one  by  one  to  the  person  believed  to  be 
guilty,  he  is  requested  to  express  quickly  the  mean- 
ing each  suggests.  If  he  betrays  himself  by  the  char- 
acter of  the  words  given  in  reply  or  the  time  con- 

158 


CHESTER  IS  SEIZED  BY  A  DETECTIVE. 

sumed  on  those  referring  to  the  crime,  he  is  charged 
with  guilt. 

An  electric  device  measures  the  moments  consumed 
by  the  person  examined.  A  small  instrument  is  so 
constructed  that  when  placed  between  the  lips  their 
least  movement  opens  or  closes  an  electric  circuit. 
When  closed,  the  current  passes  through  mechanism 
having  a  dial  over  which  a  hand  sweeps  at  the  rate 
of  ten  revolutions  per  second.  Once  around  marks 
the  tenth  of  a  second,  while  the  division  of  the  dial 
into  a  hundred  parts  enables  the  operator  to  catch 
the  thousandth  of  a  second.  The  index  stands  upright 
until  a  movement  of  the  lips  occurs,  when  it  instantly 
begins  its  flight. 

"Good  morning,  young  man,"  saluted  Professor 
Austin  Carew.  "In  response  to  the  request  of  the 
city  physician,  I  have  come  to  examine  your  nervous 
system  which  he  claims  is  out  of  order  and  threatens 
serious  consequences  unless  checks  are  applied." 

"Didn't  know  there  was  anything  wrong  with  my 
nerves,"  replied  Chester.  "But  you  can  go  ahead 
and  find  out." 

"You  must  assist  me." 

' '  Assist  T    In  what  manner  ? ' ' 

"Put  this  between  your  lips,"  suggested  the  ex- 
pert, handing  the  youth  a  small  metallic  instrument. 

This  was  a  delicate  set  of  electric  springs  attached 
to  fine  wires  connecting  it  with  the  mechanism  that 
controlled  the  dial-hand. 

"Place  it  tightly  between  upper  and  lower    lip. 

159 


SHACKLES    CAST 

There.  Now  I  shall  speak  some  words.  As  soon  as 
one  is  uttered,  give  answer  with  the  first  word  that 
arises  in  your  mind — the  one  which  mine  suggests. 
This  gives  me  a  view,  as  it  were,  of  your  nervous 
condition. ' ' 

A  few  more  sentences  of  explanation  and  the  trial 
began.    During  its  progress  a  hundred  and    twenty  - 
words  were  given. 

Carew  said,  "coat,"  Chester  associated  "vest;" 
then  book — paper ;  eye — eyelid ;  black — white ;  foot- 
toe  ;  sky — cloud,  and  so  on  for  fifteen  or  twenty  words 
arousing  commonplace  suggestions.  For  those  the 
average  time  required  was  1:45  seconds.  Suddenly 
the  word  "burglar"  was  proposed.  There  was  a 
pause.  On  the  instant  the  youth  comprehended  that 
he  was  undergoing  another  ordeal  in  relation  to  the 
burglary  at  Portrance.  A  momentary  wave  of  dis- 
pleasure seized  him,  and  it  was  thirteen  seconds  be- 
fore he  responded : 

'  *  Housebreaker. ' ' 

Again  the  examination  proceeded  with  harmless 
words,  such  as  "hail" — "hammer;"  wheat — oats, 
and  others.  The  former  average  changed  but  little  un- 
til the  word  "drill"  was  proposed.  Tardiness  was 
again  apparent,  the  answer  "hole"  beng  slowly 
enunciated.  This  was  followed  by  "thief" — "rob- 
ber;" darkness — light;  alley — lane;  key — lock;  pick 
— open;  prison — quod;  stamp — letter;  safe — iron 
box;  loot — plunder,  the  latter  answer  requiring 
twelve  seconds.  "  Nitro-glycerine "  seemed  to  disturb 

160 


CHESTER  IS  SEIZED  BY  A  DETECTIVE. 

Fenton  much.  It  took  twenty  seconds  to  bring  the 
reply,  "dynamite."  "Judge — jury,"  consumed 
eleven  seconds  and  "hobo" — "road-kid"  wasted  ten 
seconds. 

Replies  to  the  list  were  finally  complete.  Then  all 
were  gone  over  again.  But  few  variations  in  the 
consumption  of  time  were  made  manifest  during  the 
second  sifting. 

From  these  tests  Carew  made  what  seemed  to  him 
a  clear  diagnosis. 

"Young  man!"  he  exclaimed,  after  reaching  his 
conclusions,  "you  robbed  the  postoffice  at  Port- 
ranee  ! ' ' 

"It  is  false!"  cried  Chester,  "false.  Your  nervous 
humbug  leads  you  to  such  conclusions. 

At  a  later  date  the  trial  came  on.  Chester  was 
accused  of  burglarizing  the  Portrance  postoffice.  A 
number  of  persons  testified  to  his  presence  in  the 
town  during  the  latter  part  of  the  day  and  a  portion 
of  the  night  on  which  the  robbery  occurred.  The 
restaurant  owner  and  several  waiters  identified  him 
as  the  person  who  had  the  tramp  from  Arizona  as 
his  companion.  The  engineer  and  a  fireman  at  the 
electric  light  plant  swore  to  his  presence  with  the 
hobo  in  the  boiler-house  on  the  night  of  the  burglary, 
also  to  the  fact  that  they  left  the  place  together  at 
about  two  o  'clock  in  the  morning. 

The  stamps  found  on  his  person  were  put  in  evi- 
dence. The  postmaster  could  not  identify  them  as 
part  of  the  sixty  dollars'  worth  stolen,  yet  he  testi- 

161 


SHACKLES    CAST 

fied  that  one-cent  stamps  to  the  amount  of  eleven  dol- 
lars were  included  among  those  which  disappeared. 
Witnesses  were  also  on  hand  to  identify  him  as  hav- 
ing taken  breakfast  on  the  morning  following  the 
robbery  at  the  second  station  from  Portrance,  and 
that  his  appearance  indicated  fatigue. 

Professor  Austin  Carew  was  then  called.  His  state- 
ment was  very  voluminous,  but  included  a  clear  an- 
alysis of  the  case  and  direct  conclusions  as  to  the 
guilt  of  the  person  at  the  bar.  The  record  will  simply 
mention  one  or  two  of  the  points  submitted. 

That  the  time  consumed  in  making  replies  to  the 
every-day  words  averaged  for  the  first  trial  1:45 
seconds. 

And  for  the  second  trial?"  asked  the  judge. 

"About  the  same." 

"You  made  a  comparison?" 

"I  did,  the  second  result  combined  with  the  first, 
fixed  the  time  I  have  named  for  the  whole  test.  Com- 
paring this  with  the  time  required  for  the  associ- 
ation of  words  related  to  the  crime,  shows  the  longer 
space  consumed  by  them — from  six  to  twenty-one 
seconds.  Moreover,  in  the  second  trial  there  were 
many  noticeable  changes.  Thus  the  word  ' '  burglar ' ' 
brought  "housebreaker"  in  the  first  instance,  but  in 
the  second  it  was  replaced  by  "murder."  "Nitro- 
glycerine"— "dynamite,"  gave  place  to  "nitro- 
glycerine," "benzine"  in  the  second  test. 

"And  the  conclusion  you  reached?"  demanded  the 
judge. 

162 


CHESTER  IS  SEIZED  BY  A  DETECTIVE. 

"From  the  test  I  submitted  I  am  ready  to  con- 
firm that  the  defendant  is  guilty  of  committing  burg- 
lary on  the  postoffice  at  Portrance." 

The  jury  returned  a  verdict  of  "guilty,"  and  the 
judge  sentenced  Chester  Fenton  to  five  years'  im- 
prisonment. 


163 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE   RETIRED  ROUGH   RIDER   SUFFERS. 

At  the  penitentiary  Chester  had  been  divested  of 
his  civilian's  dress  and  had  been  clothed  in  the 
stripes  of  the  convict,  adorned  on  the  back  with  the 
glaring  "49."  All  the  letters  and  trinkets  relating 
to  the  past  which  had  accompanied  him  on  his  wan- 
derings were  no  longer  in  his  possession;  they  had 
been  transferred  to  the  archives  of  the  prison. 

With  senses  benumbed,  moving  as  if  in  a  dream, 
on  the  early  morning  he  was  called  into  the  corri- 
dor. Twenty  other  convicts  stood  waiting,  while  on 
opposite  sides  there  were  numerous  guards  carrying 
double-barreled  shot  guns  and  six-shooters  at  their 
belts,  the  former  being  loaded  with  heavy  buckshot, 
while  the  revolvers  were  of  caliber  forty-five. 

"Form  line!"  loudly  bawled  one  of  the  ovrseers. 

As  this  was  a  new  experience  for  Chester,  he  had 
to  be  shown. 

The  record  will  not  pursue  the  labor  conditions 
of  the  prison.  Time  had  flown.  Chester  Fenton  had 
been  a  trusty  for  many  months.  He  had  performed 
his  allotted  tasks,  sometimes  mechanically,  with  his 
thoughts  far  away  from  the  grim  stone  walls  which 
surrounded  him.  Yet  all  his  work  had  been  so  satis- 

164 


THE  RETIRED  ROUGH  RIDER  SUFFERS. 

factorily  accomplished  that  when  considered  in  con- 
nection with  his  unusually  quiet  demeanor,  his  term 
had  been  so  reduced  that  he  now  had  but  ten  months 
more  of  service.  In  addition  he  had  saved  some 
money  by  working  overtime,  for  which  he  was  al- 
lowed a  small  amount  per  hour. 

"In  spite  of  all,  although  I  have  not  been  guilty 
of  any  wrong,  the  future  looks  dark  enough,"  he 
murmered,  as  he  went  forth  one  morning  to  labor. 
"If  I  had  remained  with  Strathmore — but  Dorothy 
was  gone.  How  could  I  live  there  without  her?  No, 
no!" 

'  *  Nothing  but  clouds  surround  me — cover  me  and 
thrust  me  into  the  gloom.  Take  me  away,  God,  take 
me  away !  Death  can  settle  it  for  me ! ' ' 

For  months  he  had  no  cellmate.  One  morning  the 
door  of  his  compartment  swung  open  and  a  striped 
convict  was  thrust  it.  Chester  looked  the  newcomer 
over.  He  was  a  red-eyed,  desperate  appearing  char- 
acter. Sullenly  he  thrust  himself  on  the  steel  cot  to 
which  the  attendant  pointed.  Fenton  was  dis- 
tressed, for  in  convict  number  161  he  recognized  a 
man  he  had  met  some  years  before — it  was  he  who 
had  attacked  him  on  the  bridge  at  Wichopolis. 

"That  hell-keeper  thinks  he's  the  lord  over  us 
poor  devils,"  growled  161  between  set  teeth,  "but 
he  may  run  agin  suthin'." 

Chester  sat  looking  at  him.  He  had  determined 
to  keep  his  discovery  to  himself,  and  as  this  resolu- 
tion was  formed  he  had  turned  aside. 

165 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"How  long  have  ye  ben  in  this  trap!"  inquired 
the  new  arrival. 

Everything  in  the  cell  was  obscure  for  want  of 
light,  but  as  161  came  forward  he  suddenly  stopped 
and  wildly  swung  his  arms.  A  strange  contortion 
swept  over  his  face. 

"You  white-livered  louse,"  he  exclaimed,  "you're 
the  hairpin  as  sent  me  to  quod  in  Wichopolis." 

Chester  sprang  from  the  sitting  posture  and  drew 
himself  into  form,  for  the  new  convict  was  evidently 
about  to  attack  him.  As  the  young  man  stood  look- 
ing upon  his  antagonist  he  showed  himself  to  be  a 
fine  specimen  of  athletic  manhood,  strong  in  limb 
and  quick  of  movement.  161  glared  at  him  and  sud- 
denly made  a  swift  dive  and  swing  with  his  fist. 
Chester  caught  the  blow  on  his  left  arm  and  drove 
a  lightning-like  counter  full  into  his  assailant 's  face. 
It  staggered  the  brawny  fellow  but  he  managed  to 
keep  on  his  feet. 

' '  Ye  lobster ! "  he  yelled.    " I'll  show  ye ! " 

He  came  on  like  a  torrent,  proving  himself  to  be 
no  mean  opponent ;  indeed,  he  was  evidently  a  pugi- 
list of  some  practice.  Chester,  in  the  varied  con- 
ditions through  which  he  had  passed,  had  learned 
how  to  handle  himself  in  a  personal  encounter,  and 
while  in  the  army  his  fellow  soldiers  had  shown  him 
a  number  of  fancy  passes  and  strokes  used  by  the 
prize  fighters  of  the  day.  Thus  161  soon  found  that 
he  had  his  match — and  more,  for  Fenton's  youth 
and  strength  told  heavily  in  his  favor.  He  met  his 

166 


THE  RETIRED  ROUGH  RIDER  SUFFERS. 

antagonist's  every  attack  with  skill,  parrying  and 
making  return  with  an  ability  that  began  to  tell. 

*  *  Ye  mangy  cur ! ' '  gritted  the  other. 

The  words  were  no  sooner  out  of  his  lips  than 
Chester  sprang  forward  with  a  leap  and  landed  the 
solar  plexus  blow  of  the  ringsters.  The  other  howled, 
doubled  and  went  to  the  floor.  When  there  he  roared 
with  pain,  his  respiratory  apparatus  being  so  de- 
ranged that  he  could  with  difficulty  ' '  catch  his 
breath ' '  at  gasping  intervals. 

''What's  on?"  queried  a  deep  voice  through  the 
grating. 

Chester  spun  around.  A  corridor  turnkey  had  his 
face  pressed  between  the  bars,  and  despite  his  in- 
quiry seemed  to  be  cognizant  of  affairs. 

"This  man  jumped  upon  me  without  cause,"  he 
replied.  "I  had  to  meet  him  and  defend  myself — 
and  I  guess  he 's  out  for  awhile. ' ' 

"Down  and  out,eh?    It'll  do  the  rascal  good." 

"Perhaps  it  may  prevent  his  attacking  me  again 
right  off,  but  I  don't  know,"  he  continued,  with  a 
doubtful  cast  of  countenance. 

"I  see  that  you  take  care  of  yourself  all  right,  so 
I  shall  not  trouble  my  noddle. ' ' 

He  turned  away.  Chester  followed  with  his  eyes. 
In  a  moment  he  called: 

"Say!" 

"What?" 

"Can't  you  give  rue  a  place  away  from  this  fel- 
low?" 

167 


SHACKLES    CAST 

" Don't  know.  The  warden  sent  him  here.  You'll 
have  to  get  an  order  from  him  to  get  a  change. ' ' 

The  young  man  knew  that  he  would  not  be  allowed 
to  see  that  officer  unless  he  should  happen  during 
task  hours  to  visit  the  place  of  work.  So  he  faced 
away,  and  his  attention  was  immediately  absorbed 
by  the  defeated  gladiator,  who  was  crawling  from 
the  floor  to  his  cot. 

"Shall  I  help  you?"  tendered  Chester,  going  to 
him. 

Number  161  gave  a  glance  of  fiendish  hate  as  he 
plumped  down  to  a  sitting  posture.  Swinging  his 
arms  wildly,  he  waved  Fenton  away. 

As  the  night  came  on  the  two  men  occupied  their 
respective  cots.  Not  another  word  had  passed  be- 
tween them.  Evidently  the  whipped  individual  was 
nursing  his  rancor.  Chester  was  greatly  disturbed, 
for  he  felt  certain  that  he  did  not  dare  to  fall  asleep. 
So  that  during  the  night  he  endeavored  to  watch  the 
man  who  had  tried  to  drown  him  in  the  Arkansas. 

"A  hard  night,"  he  muttered  as  he  arose. 

Chester  took  his  meals  at  a  special  table  with  four 
who  were  entitled  by  their  conduct  to  wear  cadet 
gray.  Just  before  he  went  to  breakfast  the  morning 
ration  of  convict  161  was  brought  on  a  trencher  and 
handed  in  at  the  cell  opening.  The  prisoner  seemed 
slow  and  indifferent. 

' '  Take  it ! "  yelled  the  turnkey  who  brought  it, '  *  or 
look  out ! ' ' 

168 


THE  RETIRED  ROUGH  RIDER  SUFFERS. 

«D the  take,"  gruntled  161.  "It  don't  amount 

to  nothing,  nohow." 

"Scratch  for  it,  then!" 

With  this  expression  the  carrier  let  go  the  tray 
and  the  buttered  bread  and  tincup  of  coffee  lay  scat- 
tered on  the  floor.  161  looked  at  the  turnkey  as  if 
he  would  swallow  him.  The  latter  turned  away  with 
an  indifferent  grin  on  his  countenance,  closing  the 
iron  gate  with  a  bang  that  made  the  lock  loudly 
click. 

With  a  volley  of  oaths  which  fairly  turned  the  at- 
mosphere blue,  the  convict  turned  away  and  plumped 
down  upon  the  cot. 

"Why  the  -  -  don't  you  pick  it  up?"  he  roared 
to  Chester. 

The  young  man  paid  no  attention  but  sat  waiting. 
In  a  few  moments  the  grating  was  again  opened  and 
"49"  was  called. 

As  he  passed  out,  convict  161  jumped  from  his  sit- 
ting posture  and  stood  looking  agog. 

"What  the-    -?"  he  began.  - 

That  was  all.  The  steel  opening  clashed  and  Ches- 
ter disappeared  with  a  turnkey. 

After  breakfast  he  was  sent  with  a  foreman  to 
adjust  some  tiling  at  the  military  quarters  which 
were  not  far  distant  from  the  prison  walls.  Here  he 
worked  all  the  morning  hours. 

"How  terrible  this  life  has  been,"  he  thought. 
"All  because  I  was  so  foolish  as  to  go  with  that 
hobo." 

169 


SHACKLES    CAST 

1 1  Ten  months  more !  Ten  months  with  that  pest — 
the  man  who  tried  to  murder  me  at  Wichopolis!— 
and  again  last  night." 

"How  can  I  stand  it?  He  meant  to  strangle  me! 
He  stood  over  me  but  my  waking  up  stopped  him  for 
the  time.  But  who  knows  whether  I  shall  wake 
again  ? ' ' 

At  twelve  o'clock  he  was  taken  back  within  the 
walls  for  the  midday  meal.  When  the  hour  had 
passed  he  returned  with  the  foreman  to  the  place 
of  his  employment. 

"Ten  months,"  he  mused  again  and  again,  "unless 
I  cut  it  down  further  by  good  conduct. ' ' 

As  the  afternoon  wore  on  the  foreman  left  him 
and  went  up  to  the  dwelling  of  the  post  commandant. 
Chester  continued  to  dig  and  adjust  tiles.  He  was 
working  near  a  culvert  which  passed  beneath  a  rail- 
road track. 

"Ten  months,"  he  muttered,  "lodged  with  a  murd- 
erer. ' ' 

Steadily  delving,  there  came  a  moment  when  he 
straightened  himself  to  relieve  his  tired  back.  He 
was  alone.  A  sudden  impulse  to  lay  down  his  tool 
and  make  off  seized  him.  Two  or  three  times  he 
laid  aside  his  spade  and  started  off — yet  almost  di- 
rectly returned  to  his  employment.  At  last,  as  the 
picture  of  the  cell  in  all  its  grimness  and  the  beastly 
mate  arose  once  more  in  his  mind,  he  dropped  his 
tool  in  the  trench. 

"I  must  get  out,"  he  cried,"  no  mistake.    Fly  it 

170 


THE  RETIRED  ROUGH  RIDER  SUFFERS. 

is.  I  cannot  enter  the  cell  again  to  be  with  that 
man." 

Diving  under  the  culvert  he  made  his  way  to  the 
farther  end. 

"Death — anything  is  preferable  to  what  is  before 
me  there ! ' ' 

The  railroad  now  lay  between  him  and  the  sol- 
diers' quarters.  At  a  swift  pace  he  ran  to  the  river 
bank.  A  boat  lay  near  swinging  in  the  current. 
Quickly  he  untied  it.  There  was  no  oar. 

"What  am  I  going  to  do?"  he  cried. 

Seeing  a  piece  of  board  lying  a  few  feet  away  he 
seized  it  and  jumped  into  the  small,  flat-bottomed 
craft.  With  a  little  effort,  he  soon  reached  the  mid- 
stream and  floated  with  the  current. 

"That  is  my  only  escape  from  the  terrible  condi- 
tion behind  me,"  he  cried.  "I  don't  go  back.  I'll 
take  a  berth  at  the  bottom  of  the  Missouri  first. ' ' 

For  some  hours  he  drifted  on.  At  length  the 
night  enclosed  him,  but  out  on  the  bosom  of  the  dark 
stream,  he  continued  his  journey.  During  the  star- 
less, blackened  interval,  he  had  a  painful  rush  of 
thought.  As  remembrances  of  the  past  welled  up  in 
his  mind,  the  harbors  of  his  soul  seemed  to  open  and 
he  wandered  into  a  realm  of  dream.  Thoughts  of 
the  mother  of  his  early  years  mingled  with  army 
scenes  grouped  in  his  imagination,  while  at  intervals 
there  played  in  his  memory  pictures  of  the  ranch  in 
New  Mexico  and  the  people  who  had  cared  for  him 
during  his  stay  in  that  place. 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"Ah!"  he  sighed,  "if  I  had  only  remained  in  that 
home — or  if  my  mother  had  lived,  how  different  life 
would  have  been. ' ' 

Then  there  swam  over  his  conscious  vision  the  face 
of  Dorothy. 

Suddenly  this  enchantment  was  blotted  by  an  in- 
pour  of  the  scenes  of  the  preceding  night,  and  out 
from  the  midst  of  the  shadows  swung  the  steel  com- 
partment containing  the  debauched,  contorted  visage 
of  convict  number  161. 

"Oh!"  he  uttered  in  anguish,  "is  there  power  in 
heaven  or  on  earth  to  keep  that  apparition  from  my 
sight!" 

The  board  which  he  had  used  for  a  paddle  was 
neglected  and  he  lay  back  in  the  stern  of  his  frail 
craft. 

"Boat  has  lost  its  headway,"  he  muttered,  "and 
has  drifted  into  the  still  water  near  the  bank." 

The  monotony  of  the  movement  and  the  shadows 
by  which  he  was  surrounded  again  launched  him  into 
dreamland.  For  a  moment  he  was  smothering  in 
the  waters  of  a  black  river.  Shuddering  he  softly  in- 
toned : 

"Maybe  that  man  should  have  drowned  me — for 
then  I  should  not  be  scorched  by  this  suffering. ' ' 

There  came  a  whirlwind  change  and  the  throw 
from  the  blind  baggage  in  New  Mexico  followed, 
while  the  beautiful,  sympathetic  face  of  Alma  Arl- 
ington rose  slowly  before  him. 

Thus  through  the  almost  impenetrable  haze  of  the 

172 


THE  RETIRED  ROUGH  RIDER  SUFFERS. 

hours  that  lay  between  sun  and  sun,  the  castaway, 
with  his  memory  running  rife,  kept  his  rocking  little 
skiff  in  the  swirl  of  the  current.  More  than  once, 
when  the  lost  face  of  Dorothy  he  had  loved  so  well, 
came  up  before  him,  he  was  seized  by  an  impulse 
to  drop  off  into  the  water — and  more  than  once  he 
escaped  that  fate  by  a  mere  hair's  breadth.  At  one 
time  as  the  thought  recurred,  he  laid  aside  his  broad- 
fragment  and  partially  arose  from  m>  seat. 

"It  would  be  the  fate  of  a  coward,"  he  breathed 
after  a  moment's  hesitation.  "I  have  suffered  and 
still  suffer,  but  manhood  demands  that  I  make  the 
fight  to  the  bitter  end." 

Once  more  the  clumsy  paddle  cleft  the  water. 
Later,  when  again  tempted  and  he  had  arisen  to  his 
feet,  a  vision  sprang  from  the  darkness  and  in  his 
imagination  filled  the  dark  air  which  lay  before  him. 

"My  mother!"  he  wailed,  clasping  his  hands  and 
raising  them  heavenward.,  "mother  dear,  would  it 
separate  me  from  you?" 

And  he  dropped  to  his  knees  in  the  water  which 
had  soaked  through  the  cracks  of  the  boat  making  a 
shallow  pond  in  the  bottom. 

"Mother,'  he  moaned,  "the  only  one  I  shall  have 
to  love  me  in  the  future  life,  the  only  one. ' ' 

For  several  seconds  he  continued  to  whisper ;  then 
he  went  back  to  the  sternsheets  and  seizing  his  ill- 
shaped  scull,  again  righted  the  fragile  shell. 

"Suicide  would  forever  keep  me  away  from  her," 
he  murmured,  "for  ever  and  ever." 

173 


SHACKLES    CAST 

As  the  lurid  light  of  morning  began  its  eastern  dis- 
play, the  smoke  and  unextinguished  lights  of  a  great 
city  began  to  arise  in  the  southeast. 

"I  think  I  might  stop  there,"  he  concluded.  "It 
must  be  Kansas  City,  for  I  didn't  pass  a  big  place  in 
the  night  and  the  fellows  at  the  prison  will  hardly 
think  that  I  stopped  so  near  at  hand — won't  look 
for  me  in  that  place." 

Accordingly  when  his  boat  reached  the  city's  out- 
skirts, he  directed  its  course  to  a  landing  and  pulled 
it  on  the  sloping  earth.  He  then  went  toward  a 
street  where  stores  appeared. 

"Maybe  I'll  sail  on,  I'm  hungry  and  must  get 
something  to  eat." 

After  obtaining  some  food  at  a  restaurant,  he 
began  to  walk  toward  the  central  part  of  the  city. 
It  was  now  nearly  seven  o'clock  and  crowds  of  men 
carrying  dinner-pails  were  passing  to  their  work. 

"I  want  employment,"  he  said  to  three  or  four 
as  he  met  them.  ' '  Can  you  tell  me  where  I  can  find 
any?" 

He  was  clothed  in  pants  and  hat  of  cadet  gray,  but 
the  upper  part  of  his  body  was  covered  by  a  blue 
overshirt.  One  of  those  questioned  looked  him  over 
and  shook  his  head,  drawling  in  reply : 

* '  Can 't  say  where  you  may  tumble  onto  a  job. ' ' 

The  manner  of  the  man  seemed  to  be  a  warning, 

so  that  when  Chester  came  to  a  deep  excavation  in 

the  street,  at  the  bottom  of  which  were  beginning 

their  day's  work  he  stopped.    Along  the  gutters  lay 

174 


THE  RETIRED  ROUGH  RIDER  SUFFERS. 

great  water  pipes.  They  were  to  be  put  in  the 
trenches  being  dug. 

"Work  here  would  give  me  a  show  to  earn  some 
money  and  get  a  change  of  clothing,"  he  concluded. 

"Where  is  your  boss?"  he  inquired  of  one  of  the 
workmen. 

The  man  pointed  to  an  individual  standing  by  a 
large  tool  box.  Chester  went  to  him  and  asked  for 
a  job. 

' '  Job  ?    What  can  you  do  V ' 

"I  can  use  a  shovel." 

"Well,  there's  one.  Bob?"  he  called,  turning 
around  to  one  of  his  foreman,  "set  this  man  to 
work.." 


175 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

LOVE  GKASPS   CHESTER  FENTON  ANEW. 

At  noon  Chester  took  dinner  at  a  boarding  house 
managed  by  the  contractor  who  was  laying  the  water 
pipes. 

When  evening  came  he  was  a  tired  man,  for  during 
two  nights  he  had  rested  but  a  trifle.  On  the  first 
he  had  been  the  victim  of  convict  161,  and  during 
the  second,  while  on  the  river  adventure,  he  had  not 
enjoyed  a  moment's  sleep.  The  close  of  day  was 
therefore  welcomed  by  him,  and  a  period  of  sound 
rest  followed. 

As  soon  as  possible,  he  changed  all  the  garments 
he  wore  for  others.    Then  he  felt  more  at  ease  and 
on  each  evening  sought  for  other  employment.    Pass- 
ing into  a  grocery  store,  he  asked  for  the  proprie- 
tor. Being  directed  to  him,  he  inquired  if  additional 
help  were  needed. 
"What  can  you  do?" 
"I  can  sell  goods  in  a  store  of  this  kind." 
"How  long  have  you  done  such  work?" 
"Not  long,  yet  I  can  do  it  to  please  you." 
"Don't  need  a  salesman  just  now,  but  I  can  make 
room  for  a  driver  on  a  delivery  wagon.     Can  you 
handle  horses!" 

' '  Oh,  yes.    I  can  give  you  perfect  satisfaction. ' ' 

176 


LOVE  GRASPS  CHESTER  FENTON  ANEW. 

The  firm  engaged  his  services.  As  he  passed  out 
into  the  street,  his  eyes  glistening  with  renewed  hope, 
he  whispered: 

"My  mother.  From  this  hour  I  will  strive  to  be 
such  a  man  as  you  would  approve. J ' 

The  next  morning  found  him  on  the  box  of  a  van 
belonging  to  the  firm  by  which  he  was  employed. 
Faithfully  and  diligently  he  set  to  work,  and  he  dis- 
charged his  duties  so  well  that  soon  he  was  taken  in- 
to the  establishment.  In  this  second  relation  he  also 
pleased  his  employers. 

The  tide  of  summer  was  in  its  later  reign.  Ches- 
ter was  walking  down  the  street  on  the  way  to  the 
noonday  meal.  As  he  passed  an  automobile  drawn 
up  to  the  curb,  a  lady  whose  face  was  veiled  stepped 
from  it.  There  was  something  about  her  movement 
and  the  arrangement  and  color  of  her  hair  which 
aroused  a  momentary  recollection.  He  had  walked 
but  a  step  or  two  when  a  voice  called: 

"Chester!" 

With  a  start,  he  turned  around.  A  beautiful  young 
lady  with  veil  thrown  back  confronted  him. 

"Alma!"  he  exclaimed. 

'  *  Then  you  have  not  forgotten  me.  I  thought  that 
time  might  have  effaced  me  from  your  memory. ' ' 

"No,  Miss  Arlington.  Your  kindness  to  me  when  a 
suffering  stranger  has  always  been  thankfully  re- 
membered. ' ' 

The  girl  bowed  and  graciously  smiled. 

"Alma,  you  first  called  me.    Kindly  persist  in  that 

177 


SHACKLES    CAST 

name.     It  recalls  a  pleasant  past  more  effectively 
than  does  the  term,  'Miss  Arlington.' 

"A  pleasant  past!  Yes  indeed.  Since  leaving 
Hurstlands  my  life  has  been  varied,  but  the  cheer 
born  of  my  experience  there  has  never  forsaken  me." 

"I  am  glad,"  she  softly  articulated,  while  a  re- 
markable light  fluttered  in  her  eyes. 

"And  your  mother,"  he  remarked.  "She  is 
here?" 

* '  My  mother, ' '  she  sighed.  *  *  My  mother  died  sud- 
denly two  years  ago — and  the  home  has  been  lonely 
ever  since." 

As  she  spoke,  crystal  drops  appeared  on  her  long, 
silken  lashes.  Chester  was  instantly  full  of  sympathy 
and  commiseration. 

"Her  death  was  indeed  a  loss.  She  was  so  good. 
I  can  easily  understand  how  deserted  the  place  must 
have  been  after  she  left  you. ' ' 

"I  feel  her  loss  more  keenly  today  that  when  she 
died.  Every  turn  I  make  causes  me  to  realize  her 
absence. ' ' 

"It  is  all  so  sad." 

"Sad,  indeed.  Do  you  live  here,  Mr  Fenton?" 

"Chester,"  he  smiling  suggested. 

"Pardon  me.  Chester  was  the  name  by  which  we 
knew  you  while  at  our  home,  and  its  present  use  will 
accord  with  my  request  of  you. ' ' 

"Thank  you.  I  live  here,"  he  added,  "that  is  I 
have  been  here  a  few  weeks. ' ' 

'My  father  has  been  stricken  and  is  in  Kansas 

178 


LOVE  GRASPS  CHESTER  FENTON  ANEW. 

City  for  special  medical  treatment.  I  accompany  him 
that  he  may  have  kind  hands  to  care  for  him. ' ' 

"He  is  sick!" 

"Yes,  Mr.  Fenton — Chester,  I  mean.  His  former 
health  seems  shattered.  It  would  please  him  to  meet 
you.  Will  you  call  upon  us?" 

"I—  "  and  he  looked  on  the  ground.  Recovering 
himself,  he  resumed :  ' '  Yes,  Miss  Alma.  It  will  give 
me  pleasure — much  pleasure." 

"That  is  our  address,"  she  said,  handing  him  a 
card. 

They  then  separated. 

For  the  remainder  of  the  day  Chester  could  think 
of  nothing  but  Alma  and  what  she  told  him,  and  as 
evening  came  on  it  was  no  less  an  important  phase 
of  his  existence. 

"I  must  call  on  Alma  and  Mr.  Arlington  soon.  I 
received  from  them  the  kindest  care  and  consider- 
ation. No  other  persons  have  been  so  good  to  me  as 
Alma  and  her  parents." 

"Alma  was  a  remarkable  girl." 

Then  came  prison  life  floating  over  his  conscious- 
ness. 

"I  will  live  it  down,"  he  muttered.  "Never  again 
will  I  lift  a  finger  except  for  the  right." 

On  the  morrow,  when  engaged  in  his  business,  he 
was  the  embodiment  of  energy,  so  much,  indeed,  that 
his  employers '  attention  was  keenly  attracted  to  him 
Chester  did  not  realize  that  his  bearing  differed  ma- 
terially from  what  it  had  been  during    the    weeks 

179 


SHACKLES    CAST 

which  had  past,  yet  he  was  fully  aware  that  he  had 
resolved  to  reach  a  higher  manhood  and  that  he  was 
in  consonance  with  the  standard  he  had  ideally  de- 
termined. 

"Blessed  mother,"  he  frequently  breathed  during 
the  day. 

That  evening,  after  the  close  of  business,  he  set 
forth  to  find  the  home  of  the  Arlingtons.  This  was 
accomplished  without  difficulty.  In  response  to  his 
ringing,  fair  Alma  opened  the  door. 

"Chester,"  she  welcomed.    "Come  in." 

Leading  the  way,  she  conducted  him  into  the  re- 
ception room. 

"I  am  glad  you  came,"  she  resumed.  "Father 
has  been  very  much  depressed  today,  and  I  am  sure 
that  your  presence  will  cheer  him. ' ' 

' '  I  am  very  sorry  that  he  is  ill, ' '  consoled  Chester. 
< '  He  is  a  capable,  excellent  man  and  there  should  be 
many  years  in  store  for  him. ' ' 

"Yes,  but  the  death  of  my  mother  caused  the 
downfall  of  his  health.  I  will  tell  him  that  you  are 
here.  Please  excuse  me  for  a  moment." 

"Certainly." 

Alma  left  the  room  and  Chester  sat  down.  Pro- 
found thought  seized  him  and  his  head  sank  into  his 
hands. 

"What  are  you  doing  here?"  sprang  into  his 
mind.  At  the  same  moment  a  light  step  made  itself 
heard  along  the  hall.  Then  a  radiant  face  came  be- 
neath the  lintel  of  the  doorway. 

ISO 


LOVE  GRASPS  CHESTER  FENTON  ANEW. 

"Father  is  waiting  for  you,"  Alma  softly  spoke. 
*  *  This  morning  I  told  him  that  you  were  in  the  city 
and  he  expressed  a  desire  to  meet  you." 

The  two  went  to  the  apartment  of  the  invalid.  Mr. 
Arlington,  very  pale  and  weak,  sat  in  an  easy  chair, 
his  head  leaning  back  upon  a  special  rest  which  the 
hands  of  his  daughter  had  fashioned.  They  found 
him  with  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  entrance. 

"Chester  Fenton,"  he  greeted  in  a  feeble  voice, 
holding  out  his  hand. 

The  youth  came  forward  and  gently  took  hold  of 
the  thin  fingers  presented  to  him. 

"It  is  indeed  a  pleasure  to  meet  you,  although — " 

"You  were  not  prepared  to  see  me  thus?" 

"I  am  troubled,  for  when  I  last  saw  you  in  New 
Mexico  you  were  hearty.  It  grieves  me  to  find  you 
in  this  condition." 

"It  cannot  be  helped,"  returned  the  elder,  with  an 
evident  intention  of  dismissing  the  subject.  "You 
have  developed  quite  a  little  since  you  left  Hurst- 
lands." 

"You  think  so?  It  is  certain  that  life  with  you 
helped  me  into  a  stronger  manhood. ' ' 

"It  was  healthful,  outdoor  employment.  Alma, 
please  draw  that  rocker  forward.  There !  Sit,  Ches- 
ter." 

The  young  man  sat  down  and  conversation  was 
continued.  When  it  seemed  that  Mr.  Arlington  was 
becoming  tired,  the  former  begged  to  be  excused. 

1 '  You  will  come  again  ? ' '  asked  the  patient. 

181 


SHACKLES    CAST 

" Indeed  I  will,  for  it  affords  me  much  pleasure." 

"It  will  relieve  the  tedium  of  my  condition  and 
revive  thoughts  and  associations  of  the  past  that  are 
grateful  to  me." 

' '  As  they  are  to  me.  I  shall  come  soon  if  the  strain 
be  not  too  arduous  for  you  to  bear." 

' '  Never  fear.  A  chat  with  you  will  give  a  respite 
from  mere  brooding  over  my  illness." 

Chester,  taking  Mr.  Arlington's  hand,  held  it  for 
several  minutes.  Afterwards  he  withdrew  to  the 
room  in  which  he  had  first  been  received.  Here  he 
spent  an  hour  or  more  in  companionship  with  Alma, 
who  in  every  remark  and  act  displayed  a  noble  young 
womanhood.  When  he  arose  to  depart  a  new  feeling 
had  seized  him — that  feeling  which  in  the  olden  time 
he  had  choked  back  so  as  not  to  be  untrue  to  an- 
other. But  that  tie  had  been  broken  and  he  now  sat 
under  a  new  inspiration ;  that  of  a  young  lady  of  ex- 
ceptional grace  and  truth — one  who  years  ago  had 
shown  much  interest  in  his  welfare  and  who  now 
seemed  not  to  have  lost  it. 

"I  am  thankful  for  the  pleasure  afforded  by  this 
evening.  You  have  come  into  my  lone  and  cheerless 
life  like  a  beautiful  sun-gift  from  God, ' '  he  affirmed, 
as  he  rose  to  depart. 

The  eyes  of  the  maiden  glowed  with  impulses  she 
could  not  repress  as  she  answered: 

"You  are  very  kind  to  speak  thus.  You  will  come 
again  soon — indeed,  I  beg  you  to  make  our  home  one 

182 


LOVE  GRASPS  CHESTER  FENTON  ANEW. 

for  yourself — a  place  to  escape  from  the  thoughts 
and  care  of  your  business  life." 

"It  is  good  and  generous  of  you  to  offer  me  more 
than  I  deserve.  Still  I  shall  be  so  selfish  as  to  profit 
by  your  kind  invitation." 

With  this  remark  he  withdrew. 

The  days  which  followed  were  full  of  brightness 
for  young  Fenton.  The  charms  of  the  Arlington 
home  always  awaited  him,  and  they  proved  irres- 
tible.  The  numerous  evenings  spent  with  Alma  and 
her  father  brought  comfort  and  happiness  to  him. 

"How  good  and  pure  she  is,"  he  exclaimed  on  one 
occasion  while  passing  toward  home.  "Not  only 
that,  but  she  is  as  beautiful  as  she  is  good." 

"Dorothy  is  lost  to  me — but  this  dear  girl 

He  was  silent.  Disturbing  thoughts  arose  in  his 
mind.  How  dared  he  think  of  Alma  in  the  way  his 
impulses  were  drifting? 

His  work  on  the  next  day  and  the  one  following 
was  not  neglected,  but  he  was  greatly  troubled.  So 
many  of  the  scenes  of  his  life  after  he  had  left  Hurst- 
lands,  flitted  before  him  that  he  was  well-nigh  un- 
balanced. 

"I  must  bid  her  goodby,"  he  declared.  "It  will 
not  do  to  imperil  her  happiness — no,  no ! 

That  evening  he  slowly  wended  his  way  to  the 
residence  of  the  Arlingtons.  He  was  met  at  the  door 
by  Alma,  her  face  glowing  with  radiance  as  she 
looked  upon  him. 

"I  am  glad  you  have  come.    Father  has  an  off 

183 


SHACKLES    CAST 

day  and  he  has  inquired  about  you,  expressing  many 
wishes  that  you  might  call  this  evening. ' ' 

"He  is  not  so  well?"  Chester's  tones  berayed  an 
unusual  strain. 

The  maiden  turned  and  inquiringly  scanned  his 
face  as  she  replied: 

"Not  so  well.  His  physicians  seem  puzzled — un- 
able to  meet  the  new  developments  that  have  arisen. ' ' 

"It  is  too  bad.    Shall  I  go  to  him  now?" 

"Yes,  come." 

And  she  led  the  way  to  the  invalid 's  apartment. 

Chester  spent  some  time  with  him  conversing  in 
low  tones  and  holding  his  hand.  During  this  inter- 
view Alma  flitted  about  the  room,  happiness  beaming 
from  her  countenance  and  spreading  its  benign  in- 
fluence to  the  two  in  converse.  When  at  length  the 
passing  hours  found  Chester  alone  with  her  in  the 
reception  room,  bright  cheer  still  sprang  from  her 
eyes,  putting  the  visitor  under  a  strange  spell  of 
enchantment.  He  had  made  up  his  mind  to  tell  her 
of  his  past,  but  his  tongue  refused  to  respond  to 
effort  after  effort  which  he  made  to  carry  out  his 
resolution. 

"Has  the  day  been  pleasant,  Chester?"  she  asked, 
taking  a  seat  on  the  opposite  side  of  a  small  table. 

"Yes,"  he  began;  then  he  hesitated,  looking  wist- 
fully at  Alma.  "That  is,  I  have  had  thoughts  that 
troubled  me." 

"Indeed,"  she  softly  breathed,  being  at  once  re- 
sponsive. "I  hope  all  have  passed  away." 

184 


LOVE  GRASPS  CHESTER  FENTON  ANEW. 

His  eyes  were  moist  and  his  body  trembled.  Here 
was  a  girl  who,  during  his  life  at  Hurstlands,  had 
shown  him  consideration  and  sympathy,  and  now 
while  he  had  again  been  with  her,  the  same  tenden- 
cies had  been  no  less — had  been  a  boon  which  had 
lifted  him  from  a  sea  of  despondency  to  cheery 
heights,  replacing  a  lowering  horizon  by  the  glow- 
ing sunshine  of  happiness. 

1 ' Alma,"  he  burst  forth,  rising  to  his  feet,  his 
frame  agitated,  his  voice  strangely  vibrating.  "I 
love  you  more  than  I  can  say — love  you  deeply, 
truly " 

She  too  arose.  Her  head  was  bent,  her  heart 
thrilled  with  unspeakable  joy.  She  now  looked  into 
his  face  with  eyes  of  tender  trust. 

' '  And  I, ' '  she  murmured.  * '  I  have  loved  you  from 
the  first  day  that  you  came  wounded  to  our  home  at 
Hurstlands — loved  you  alone — the  only  love  I  have 
ever  known. ' ' 

"Oh,  dear,  dear  Alma,"  he  cried,  extending  his 
arms  and  holding  her  to  his  breast,  "the  dearest, 
best  on  earth. ' ' 

Of  the  minutes  that  followed  the  record  will  be 
silent.  Two  souls  communed  in  an  enchantment 
known  only  to  those  who  have  met  kindred  hearts. 


185 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

A  PERILOUS  INTERRUPTION  OF  LOVE. 

When  Chester  left  the  residence  of  the  Arling- 
tons  and  proceeded  on  the  way  leading  to  his  home, 
he  became  thoughtful.  As  the  minutes  passed  this 
mental  phase  developed  and  became  more  and  more 
one  of  serious  import,  until  uneasiness  passed  to 
nervous  disturbance. 

"How  could  I  be  guilty  of  such  deception?" 
he  wailed.  "Alma  is  the  cream  of  the  earth — and — 
I " 

He  suddenly  halted.  When  he  moved  again  his 
steps  became  short  and  heavy,  until  in  his  agitation 
he  stumbled. 

"I  am  an " 

He  cast  his  eyes  about  to  ascertain  if  any  ear  were 
listening  to  his  words.  He  found  himself  alone. 

"An  escaped  convict!"  he  concluded,  in  smothered 
tones.  "No  matter  whether  I  deserved  that  fate 
or  not,  I  cannot  evade  the  fact. ' ' 

"I  will  go  to  her  and  relate  the  whole  truth— 
everything,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end. ' ' 

Halting  and  looking  around,  he  wiped  the  perspir- 
ation from  his  forehead. 

"How  terrible!    I  must  give  her  up!    Do  I  de- 

186 


A  PERILOUS  INTERRUPTION  OF  LOVE. 

serve  it,  my  God?  Guiltless  when  cast  into  prison, 
I  suffered  and  now  my  heart  is  torn  asunder. ' ' 

Observing  that  he  was  attracting  attention  from 
passing  pedestrians,  he  began  to  move  forward.  But 
his  agony  increased.  For  a  long  time  he  walked— 
walked  far  into  the  night — walked  until  the  police 
began  to  note  his  movements  and  consider  why  he 
was  on  the  streets  in  a  questionable  condition  at 
such  an  hour.  It  was  towards  morning  when  one 
stepped  across  the  street  and  accosted  him. 

" What's  the  hour?"  he  asked. 

* '  Hour  ?   Pretty  late — or  early. ' ' 

' '  Where  are  you  heading  ? ' ' 

"Home.  Have  a  severe  headache  and  so  am  a  lit- 
tle tardy  in  leaving  the  streets — want  to  shake  it 
off." 

The  answer  seemed  straightforward  and  the 
bluecoat  at  once  perceived  that  Fenton  was  not  in- 
toxicated, so  he  moved  on. 

After  this  incident,  Chester  hastened  to  his  apart- 
emnts,  but  not  to  sleep.  The  morning  hours  found 
him  sitting  wide-eyed,  the  bed  untouched.  His  brain 
was  imperiled,  his  feelings  so  wrought  upon  that 
nothing  but  his  magnificent  physique  sustained  him 
from  an  utter  collapse  of  mental  and  bodily  powers. 

"Love!"  he  cried.  "How  dare  I  love  such  a  wo- 
man? Beautiful,  noble,  pure." 

"Chester!  Assert  your  manhood!  Stop  being  a 
dissembler.  Eight  this  atrocious  conduct — right  it 
even  if  you  break  your  heart — eternally  break  it !" 

187 


SHACKLES    CAST 

*  *  The  end  will  come, ' '  he  cried,  halting  and  holding 
his  head  between  his  hands.    "And  I  shall  sleep — 
sleep  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking." 

He  ate  no  breakfast,  but  went  forth  to  his  employ- 
ment.  He  walked  with  his  head  bowed,  his  whole 
mind  engrossed  with  the  tumult  of  thought  which  had 
seized  him.  Suddenly,  he  became  aware  that  he  had 
proceeded  four  or  five  blocks  in  the  wrong  direc- 
tion. When  he  realized  this,  he  endeavored  to  shake 
off  the  trouble  that  overwhelmed  him.  Turning  in 
his  course,  he  hastened  toward  his  place  of  business. 

During  the  day  he  was  more  or  less  in  a  fog  of 
bewilderment ;  so  deep,  indeed,  that  it  was  noticeable 
by  those  around  him.  His  resolve  had  been  taken 
and  when  the  hours  of  the  daily  engagement  closed, 
he  went  directly  to  the  place  where  Alma  lived 

Coming  into  her  presence  he  greeted  her  with  all 
the  warmth  which  his  nature  could  not  forbid,  but  he 
immediately  began  to  speak  of  what  had  rankled 
his  soul. 

"Alma,  I  have  deceived  you — so  grossly — so 
grossly ! ' ' 

"What  do  you  mean,  Chester?"  she  asked,  turning 
deadly  pale. 

* '  Prepare,  my  beautiful,  to  hear  a  dreadful  confes- 
sion— but  one  that  must  be  made.  It  must,  Alma, 
dear,"  he  repeated  with  quivering  voice,  "even  if 
it  kills  me. 

' '  Chester ! ' '  she  cried,  taking  him  by  the  hand. 

*  *  Dear,  dear  Alma,  I  must  tell  it !    I  am  a  refugee 

188 


A  PERILOUS  INTERRUPTION  OF  LOVE. 

from  justice ! "  he  gasped,  shivering  violently  as  the 
words  escaped  him. 

She  took  his  hand  in  a  double  clasp  and  with  a 
voice  almost  choked  with  emotion,  she  remons- 
trated : 

"It  is  not  true.  Tell  me,  Chester,  that  it  is  not 
true." 

Very  tenderly  he  led  her  to  a  chair — then  knelt 
at  her  feet,  the  tears  streaming  down  his  cheeks. 
With  faltering  speech  and  bitter  bewailing,  he  told 
her  all,  while  she  moaned  and  sighed. 

"I  did  not  steal  the  stamps — not  one,  but  they 
found  some — a  few  upon  me.  I  was  with  the  burg- 
lar— I  did  not  realize  what  he  was  doing — did  not 
know  he  was  breaking  a  safe  until  I  heard  an  ex- 
plosion. Then  I  started  to  get  away.  Fear  and  in- 
decision made  me  slow  and  the  robber  came  out  and 
I  left  the  place  in  his  company." 

Then  he  told  her  of  his  tramp  on  the  railroad  at 
night,  of  his  arrest  and  conviction,  of  his  imprison- 
ment, of  his  sufferings  while  in  confinement,  of  his 
cellmates,  of  the  last  one  whose  presence  impelled 
him  to  escape  while  a  trusted  workman  of  the  peni- 
tentiary. 

Many  words  of  commiseration  escaped  the  lips  of 
the  maiden  as  she  listened : 

"What  a  shame  it  was  to  give  you  such  a  com- 
panion," she  cried. 

He  then  explained  the  conditions  existing  when  he 
reached  the  close  of  his  river  trip.  He  also  added : 

189 


SHACKLES    CAST 

* '  So  that  I  should  not  be  caught,  I  gave  my  second 
name,  Trueman,  as  my  surname.  By  that  I  am  known 
to  all  in  Kansas  City  except  to  you  and  your  father 
alone. ' ' 

1 '  Trueman  ?— not  Fenton ! ' ' 

"That  is  it.  So  you  will  see  what  a  mess  I  have 
made  of  life  and  how  base  it  was  for  me  to  act  as 
I  have  toward  you." 

"Not  base,  Chester,  not  base.  You  have  been  a 
victim. ' ' 

"And  now,  blessed  one,  I  must  release  you  from 
any  connection  with  such  an  imposter  as  I  am— an 
escaped  convict." 

' '  Chester,  do  you  love  me  ? ' ' 

"I  love  you  more  than  I  can  express.  My  former 
love  for  the  girl  of  whom  I  have  told  you,  is  not  to 
be  compared  to  my  love  for  you.  Alma,  you  are  the 
best,  the  noblest  woman  that  God  ever  made.  I  shall 
always  bear  your  image  in  my  bosom — never  can  it 
be  eradicated  from  my  heart." 

While  these  words  were  being  uttered  the  maiden 's 
eyes  were  dimmed  with  tears.  She  still  held  his 
hand  and  was  looking  tenderly  upon  him. 

* '  Tomorrow  I  will  go  to  the  west.  I  shall  take  you 
with  me  as  my  dream-wife.  I  will  never  have  an- 
other— never.  My  life  shall  be  as  it  has  been,  alone 
— and  when  I  come  to  the  spirit-land,  God  will  merci- 
fully let  me  come  to  you." 

"I  shall  never  have  any  other  for  a  husband," 
the  girl's  trembling  lips  replied.  "That  was  settled 

190 


A  PERILOUS  INTERRUPTION  OF  LOVE. 

years  ago.  When  you  left  Hurstlands,  I  registered 
that  vow  on  high.  Others  have  come  and  proposed, 
but  I  have  lived  with  the  promise  then  made. ' ' 

"Blessed,  blessed!"  he  murmered,  kissing  her 
hand  again  and  again. 

After  a  few  moments  he  arose  to  his  feet. 

"When  at  length  we  reach  the  realms  beyond," 
he  breathed,  throwing  his  arms  about  her,  "God  in 
his  everlasting  love,  will  unite  us." 

"Chester,  you  must  not  go  away.  I  love  you.  I 
do  not  believe  that  you  did  wrong — that  you  even 
meant  to  associate  with  a  thief. ' ' 

"I  cannot  sacrifice  you,  Alma.  I  must  set  you 
free,  and  the  only  chance — the  only  means  to  effect 
it  is  for  me  to  go  away  from  you. ' ' 

"I  will  not  part  from  you,  my  love.  We'll  spend 
life  together.  As  soon  as  my  father  recovers,  we'll 
go  to  Hurstlands.  There  we  shall  be  happy  again." 

Chester  held  her  tight  to  his  bosom,  yet  still  his 
head  waved  in  doubt. 

' l  Come  to  my  father.  We  will  lay  the  whole  matter 
before  him.  He  understands  all  kinds  of  business 
and  public  affairs.  I  am  sure  that  he  will  agree  to 
the  view  which  I  hold." 

"Do  you  think  he  can  bear  the  recital?" 

*  *  He  was  better  today.  I  will  go  and  prepare  him 
for  it — then  come  and  we  will  inform  him." 

She  left  the  room  but  soon  returned  and,  taking 
Chester  by  the  hand,  she  smiled  upon  him. 

"Father  wishes  to  know  something  of  your  life 

191 


SHACKLES    CAST 

from  the  time  you  left  us  at  Hurstlands.  I  have  pre- 
pared him  for  all. ' ' 

When  they  entered  the  apartment  of  Mr.  Arling- 
ton, they  found  him  standing,  partially  supporting 
himself  by  resting  his  hands  on  the  center  table. 
Evidently  he  anxiously  awaited  their  coming. 

*  *  Here  you  are,  Chester, ' '  he  saluted.  * '  Come  and 
sit  down.  Pull  that  easy  this  way." 

For  himself  he  took  the  Morris  chair,  which  was 
his  favorite  resting  place.  Slowly  he  led  the  young 
man  to  speak  of  his  course  during  the  period  between 
leaving  New  Mexico  and  his  appearance  at  Kansas 
City.  It  took  time,  but  the  youth  reserved  nothing. 

"And  you  broke  away  after  getting  so  many 
credits  shortening  your  time?"  was  one  of  the  ques- 
tions of  the  elder. 

"I  did.  I  have  frequently  regretted  it,  but  it 
seemed  impossible  for  me  to  live  in  the  same  com- 
partment with  the  desperate  ™an  who  was  thrust 
in  on  me." 

At  another  time  Arlington  asked: 

"To  what  place  in  th<>  West  do  you  think  of  go- 
ing?" 

"To  Old  Mexico.  I  have  a  friend  there  who  owns 
an  island  eight  miles  in  extent.  He  has  urged  me 
to  come  and  live  with  him  at  any  time.  I  -shall 
do  so.  He  has  promised  me  the  place  upon  his 
death." 

"Why,  that  seems  like  a  fine  opportunity." 
"It  is — for  me." 

192 


A  PERILOUS  INTERRUPTION  OF  LOVE. 

Thus  inquiry  and  answer  went  forward. 

"You  will  start,  then,  tomorrow,"  concluded  Arl- 
ington, in  a  tone  that  seemed  to  concede  that  the  re- 
solve of  the  young  man  was  wisely  taken. 

"Tomorrow,  Mr.  Arlington." 

"  No ! "  cf ied  a  voice,  ' '  no !    He  is  not  going. ' ' 

The  invalid  passed  his  hand  over  his  eyes  and 
looked  across  the  room  at  his  daughter. 

"Mr.  Fenton  has  so  determined,"  he  pronounced 
with  a  decisive  ring. 

"Father,  I  love  him,"  drooped  Alma,  coming  for- 
ward with  streaming  eyes.  "I  loved  him  years  ago 
—my  mother  told  you,  I  am  sure  she  told  you.  I 
cannot  let  him  go.  He  is  not  guilty  of  crime." 

Arlington  was  gazing  at  his  daughter  in  a 
strangely  perplexed  manner. 

' '  What  we  think  may  not  be  what  the  world 
thinks " 

"Father,  dear  father,  do  you  know  that  I  love 
him,"  moaned  the  maiden,  dropping  on  her  knees 
beside  her  parent  and  placing  her  head  down  on  his 
lap.  "He  saved  my  life,  my  father,  saved  me  for 
you,  for  mother,  for  myself.  Except  for  that  you 
would  not  have  me  to  comfort  you  today. ' ' 

The  invalid  placed  his  hand  on  the  girl's  head.  His 
body  was  trembling  violently. 

"I  cannot  live  without  him,"  burst  from  her 
lips.  "I  cannot,  I  cannot." 

Chester  had  risen  from  his  chair  and  was  standing 
in  an  attitude  which  suggested  departure.  He  saw 

193 


SHACKLES    CAST 

the  pale,  suffering  features  of  the  elder  and  deter- 
mined that  the  scenes  should  be  brought  to  a  close. 

"Did  you  say  that  you  were  going  tomorrow?" 
asked  Arlington. 

"That  is  my  plan.  I  love  your  beautiful,  pure 
daughter,  but  I  know  that  I  must  leave  her  though 
my  heart  may  break ! ' ' 

The  girl  had  now  risen  and  was  standing  beside 
Chester.  Seizing  his  hand,  she  drew  him  towards 
Mr.  Arlington. 

"Father!"  she  exclaimed,  "you  will  not  blight  my 
life  by  bidding  him  go.  Suppose,  my  father,  that 
you  leave  me.  What  will  existence  be  worth  to  me  if 
Chester  be  a  wanderer — and  I—  — ?" 

She  put  her  arms  about  Chester's  neck — and  he 
impulsively  clasped  her  around  the  waist.  Thus  the 
two  stood  for  a  moment. 

"Come  nearer,"  the  father  faintly  spoke. 

The  invalid  tried  to  rise,  but  the  temporary 
strength  bestowed  through  excitement  had  departed. 
The  girl  sank  on  her  knees,  gently  pulling  Chester 
besider  her.  Then  Arlington,  his  own  eyes  now  be- 
dewed, placed  his  shaking  hands  upon  their  heads. 

"Chester  Fenton,"  he  feebly  spoke,  "will  you  ever 
be  true  to  Alma!" 

"True?  No  matter  where  I  am,  no  other  one  can 
ever  reign  queen  in  my  heart  but  Alma  alone ! ' ' 

"You  must  abandon  your  plans  of  going  West  to 
that  island  of  which  you  spoke — but  remain  here.  I 
am  passing,"  he  added  sadly,  "and  I  must  leave  a 

194 


A  PERILOUS  INTERRUPTION  OF  LOVE. 

protector  for  the  daughter  who  has  given  her  life  for 
mine. ' ' 

' '  But ' '  began  Chester. 

"So  let  it  be,"  slowly  pronounced  the  sick  man. 
"Alma,  dear,  take  my  hand." 

Obeying,  the  maiden  took  the  wasted  fingers  in 
her  own  and  clasping  them  closely,  held  them  to  her 
cheek. 

"My  daughter,"  he  continued,  "I  wish  you  to  be 
married  at  once." 

"Chester,  you  must  be  married  in  your  true 
name,"  he  declared,  addressing  the  young  man.  "In 
a  few  days  it  can  be  arranged  for  you  and  Alma  to 
go  eastward,  where  at  a  distant  place  you  may  be 
united,  and  then  return  to  me." 


195 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

FOLLOWED  BY  DANGEROUS   CONDITIONS. 

* 

As  arranged  by  Mr.  Arlington,  Alma  had  been 
sent  to  Boston,  Massachusetts,  where  in  the  home 
of  a  friend  of  the  family,  she  had  been  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Chester  Fenton.  Returning  immediately, 
the  young  couple,  beaming  with  a  happiness  which 
was  theirs  alone,  took  up  their  residence  in  the 
home  of  the  father. 

"I  must  have  Alma  near  me,"  he  insisted.  ''It  will 
be  for  a  short  time — then  Hurstlands  will  be  at  your 
disposal." 

"Pape,  dear,  don't  say  that.  You  will  soon  be 
well.  Then  we  shall  all  go  back  home. ' ' 

He  gravely  shook  his  head.  He  knew  what  the 
daughter  did  not  know;  that  his  physical  troubles 
had  culminated  in  an  incurable  disease,  time  alone 
being  the  arbiter  of  his  final  departure. 

"My  dear  father,'  murmured  Alma,  standing  by 
his  side  and  stroking  his  hair.  "Chester  and  I  are 
thinking  of  the  pleasure  which  will  be  ours  when 
we  are  all  back  where  formerly  we  had  so  much 
bright  cheer." 

The  parent  sadly  shook  his  head. 

"My  dear  girl,"  he  slowly  breathed,  "when  you 
and  Chester  get  there,  much  brightness  will  be  in 

196 


FOLLOWED   BY   DANGEROUS   CONDITIONS. 

store  for  you — but  I  shall  be  at  rest  with  your 
mother,  and  whatever  the  future  possesses  for  those 
leaving  the  earth,  will  be  mine." 

The  days  sped  on,  bearing  happiness  to  the  young 
hearts  in  overrunning  volume,  yet  a  cloud  often 
seemed  to  hang  over  Chester — a  cloud  that  fre- 
quently revealed  itself  to  him  in  such  a  manner  as 

* 

to  cause  severe  agitation  and  suppression  of  vital 
power,  almost  bringing  his  heart  to  a  standstill.  On 
these  occasions  he  whispered  again  and  again: 

1 '  If  trouble  should  come  to  my  darling  on  account 
of  my  past  career,  it  would  paralyze  me !  What  could 
I  do?" 

Month  after  month  rolled  away  and  Mr.  Arlington 
grew  steadily  weaker.  At  last  he  could  not  arise 
from  his  chair  without  assistance.  Chester,  in  off 
duty  hours,  lifted  him  in  his  strong  arms  as  if  he 
were  a  child.  One  evening,  when  the  young  man  was 
caring  for  him,  the  patient  warmly  expressed  his 
thanks. 

4 '  John ' ' —  the  name  of  his  regular  attendant  at 
night — "does  pretty  well,  but  he  is  not  equal  to 
you. ' ' 

This  set  Chester  to  thinking  that  possibly  he  ought 
to  free  himself  from  business  and  take  care  of  the 
sick  man. 

"I  will  see,"  he  thought. 

When  he  spoke  to  his  employers  in  reference  to 
the  matter,  they  did  not  take  kindly  to  it : 

"We  can  illy  spare  you,"  replied  the  elder.    "You 

197 


SHACKLES    CAST 

have  become  a  necessity  to  us.  Can  you  find  suffi- 
cient time  to  devote  to  him  if  we  let  you  off  at,  say, 
six  in  the  evening  until  ten  or  half-past  ten  in  the 
morning!" 

'  *  That  would  make  me  more  serviceable  than  I  am 
at  present. ' 

This  was  the  arrangement.  From  that  time, 
Chester  devoted  himself  as  far  as  possible  to  the 
care  of  Arlington.  At  night  he  lay  on  a  couch  so 
near  the  sufferer  that  he  could  place  his  hand  upon 
him.  So  sensitive  to  this  gentle  touch  did  he  become, 
that  the  merest  contact  aroused  him  and  brought 
him  to  his  feet. 

"You  are  good,  my  boy,"  the  patient  murmured, 
as  Chester  laid  him  tenderly  back  upon  his  resting- 
place. 

Thus  was  he  constantly  thanking  the  young  man ; 
a  series  of  incidents  that  bound  him  closer  and 
closer  to  his  failing  charge. 

As  the  time  passed  and  the  end  seemed  to  ap- 
proach, the  house  became  still.  It  was  during  this 
period  that  Alma  became  a  mother. 

"My  blessed,  my  love,"  whispered  Chester,  as  he 
bent  over  her  and  the  fairy  little  darling  that  lay  by 
her  side. 

The  young  wife  looked  up  at  him  with  beaming 
eyes;  then  raised  her  lips — which  Chester  im- 
mediately pressed  with  his  own. 

"Dearest  one  on  earth,"  he  continued.  "You  have 
given  me  an  angel-child. ' ' 

198 


FOLLOWED   BY   DANGEROUS   CONDITIONS. 

The  infant  was  named  Grace;  and  when  it  was 
presented  to  the  grandfather,  tears  ran  down  his 
face. 

"Beautiful  little  creature,"  he  spoke,  softly  touch- 
ing its  silky  locks.  "I  shall  never  see  thee  an  adult 
— but  nevertheless,  I  welcome  thee." 

A  few  weeks  and  the  physicians  were  whispering 
in  consultation.  At  the  close,  one  was  delegated,  in 
consonance  with  Mr.  Arlington's  expressed  wish,  to 
inform  him  that  the  end  was  near  and  that  he  should 
dispose  of  all  business  that  ought  to  receive  his  at- 
tention. 

Acordingly,  a  lawyer  was  called  in  and  a  last  will 
and  testament  was  formulated.  Hurstlands,  a 
ranch  of  twenty-two  thousand  acres,  with  vast  herds 
ranging  thereon,  together  with  nine  thousand  acres 
in  other  parts  of  New  Mexico,  were  bequeathed 
jointly  to  Chester  and  Alma  Fenton.  Then  the  good 
man  lay  back  and  closed  his  eyes. 

"My  dear  father,"  softly  breathed  Alma,  coming 
to  the  bedside  and  passing  her  hand  lightly  over  his 
forehead.  "You  are  tired.  You  must  rest." 

"Yes,"  he  answered  sadly  and  in  labored  tones, 
"I  soon  shall  rest,  my  daughter,  soon  shall  rest." 

Alma  would  not  accept  the  words  as  rendered  but 
remonstrated : 

"I  hope  soon  to  see  you  get  up  and  take  us  to  the 
West." 

Smiling  upon  her,  he  spoke  again : 

"When  the  baby  wakes  up,  bring  her  to  me." 


SHACKLES    CAST 

In  a  few  minutes  the  little  one  was  smiling  in  his 
embrace. 

" Sweet  little  Gracie,"  he  murmured.  "So  much 
like  my  own  Alma  when  in  her  mother's  arms." 

During  the  night  which  followed,  the  spirit  of  this 
good  man  took  its  flight  into  the  realms  of  the  im- 
mortals. 

Sadnes  ruled  the  household.  With  tear-damp  eyse, 
for  hours  Alma  hung  over  the  silent  form  of  her  par- 
ent. Chester  remained  close  beside  her  and  often 
placed  his  arm  about  her  while  he  tenderly  kissed 
her  cheek;  nor  was  his  attention  lost  on  the  young 
wife,  for  amidst  her  sorow  she  frequently  turned  to 
him  with  gentle  recognition. 

"Dear  Alma,"  he  whispered.    "It  is  so  hard." 

"My  husband,'  she  murmured,  the  crystal  drops 
falling  upon  the  hand  she  held. 

The  record  will  not  enlarge  upon  this  grief- 
stricken  period.  With  .great  tenderness  the  father 
was  committed  to  the  bosom  of  mother-earth.  After 
the  funeral  obsequies,  the  young  people  returned  to 
the  home  and  rested.  After  some  days,  the  wife 
suggested  to  her  husband: 

' '  Chester  will  it  not  be  best  to  close  up  our  affairs 
in  this  city  and  go  to  Hurstlands  ?  A  faithful  agent 
is  in  charge  there,  still — " 

"I  agree  with  you,  Alma.  It  will  be  the  proper 
course." 

He  could  not  help  feeling  that  an  incubus  would  be 
lifted  from  his  shoulders ;  for  at  the  present  time  he 

200 


FOLLOWED   BY   DANGEROUS   CONDITIONS. 

was  near  the  scene  of  his  prison  experiences  and 
had  a  constant  dread  of  being  recognized  by  some 
one  who  had  been  connected  with  the  penitentiary. 
Preparations  to  depart  for  the  West  were  at  once 
begun. 

The  work  had  progressed  toward  completion. 
Chester  was  passing  from  one  of  the  down  town- 
banks  to  his  home  when  a  loud,  gruff  voice  roared 
in  his  ears : 

"Hello,  Fenton!  What  the  —  -  are  you  doin' 
here  ? ' ' 

Spinning  around,  he  found  himself  confronted  by 
his  former  cellmate,  convict  number  161. 

' '  That  is  not  my  name, ' '  returned  the  young  man. 

"Ha,  ha!  Not?  We'll  see,  my  fine  buck,  we'll 
see!" 

Chester  hurried  away;  but  161  hung  at  his  heels. 
They  proceeded  thus  for  some  blocks,  the  former 
leading  off  from  his  home.  Coming  to  a  street  where 
there  was  an  electric  trolley  line,  he  suddenly  left  the 
sidewalk  and  sprang  upon  the  running-board  of  a 
flying  car,.  As  the  motonnan  had  seen  him  running 
towards  the  car,  it  was  sufficiently  checked  so  that 
the  convict  also  boarded  it. 

The  two  rode  for  several  squares.  Chester  was 
standing  on  the  continuous  step  where  he  had  first 
secured  a  foothold.  Unexpectedly,  while  the  car 
was  running  at -high  speed,  he  dropped  off  to  the 
pavement.  It  was  cleverly  done  and  he  was  in  im- 
mediate form  to  move  onward.  The  convict  at- 

201 


SHACKLES    CAST 

tempted  the  same  feat;  but  failure  to  overcome  the 
momentum  of  his  body  bore  him  to  the  ground.  On 
the  instant,  he  set  up  a  mighty  yelling: 

' '  Help !  Murder !  Police ' '  issued  from  his  throat 
in  a  foghorn  volume. 

Foot  passengers  halted. 

"That's  him!"  continued  161,  struggling  to  regain 
his  feet.  "Broke  out  o'  prison!  Collar  the  cuss!" 

Chester  was  hurrying  from  the  scene  with  all  his 
might  and  main.  As  he  reached  a  street  corner,  a 
policeman  dashed  around  it  almost  colliding  with  the 
flying  pedestrian.  He  observed  the  pace  and  the 
anxiou  contenance  of  the  young  man. 

"Say!"  he  called  out.    "What's  on?" 

1 1  Some  one  down  there  has  fallen  from  the  trolley. 
He  is  making  a  fuss." 

"That's  the  whelp!"  yelled  the  convict,  who 
had  scrambled  to  his  feet  and  was  hobbling  toward 
the  corner  where  Chester  and  the  bluecoat  were 
standing.  The  former  had  begun  to  move  away. 

"Hoi'  on!"  cried  the  latter.  "Wait  till  this  fel- 
low gets  here." 

A  small  crowd  had  collected.  The  limping  indi- 
vidual came  up. 

"This  here  feller  throwed  off  his  stripes  an'  got 
away  from  the  pen  at  the  quod,"  he  roared. 

"What's  yer  pinters?"  demanded  the  policeman? 

"Pinters!  I  was  thar  with  him.  I  reckon  I 
know. ' ' 

1 '  With  him  ?    Down  at  the  penitentiary  ? ' ' 

202 


FOLLOWED   BY   DANGEROUS   CONDITIONS. 

''That's  what  I  said.  I  was  inner-cent — but  they 
sent  me  thar  the  same  an'  put  me  into  the  same  cage 
as  this  bloke  had  been  stuck  into —  an'  he  up  an' 
lit  out." 

The  bluecoat  looked  at  Chester.  The  young  man 
was  in  such  a  condition  of  trepidation  and  distress, 
that  the  officer  quickly  decided  that  the  story  had 
foundation ;  he  therefore  clipped  out : 

"Come  along  to  the  station.  This '11  have  to  be 
straightened  up." 

''You  come  along,  too,"  he  called  to  the  informer, 
turning  around  as  they  started  away. 

"You  bet  I'm  a  comin'.  I  don't  let  that  measly 
coyote  git  very  fur  away  from  me." 

So  he  struggled  along  after  the  others.  At  the 
police  station,  he  was  questioned  by  the  captain  in 
charge : 

"You  say  this  man  was  a  fellow-prisoner  with 
you?" 

"That's  what.  They  gin  us  the  same  iron  box — 
an'  this  bodkin  skipped  out  when  he  wuz  workin' 
outside." 

"You  are  sure  this  is  the  person?" 

"Sure?  What  do  you  size  me  up  fur?" 

The  captain  rang  up  the  long  distance  telephone 
station. 

"The  Penitentiary  at  Leavenworth,"  he  de- 
manded. 

After  being  in  conversation  with  the  authorities 

1203 


SHACKLES    CAST 

of  that  institution  for  some  minutes,  he  turned  to 
Chester : 

1 '  From  the  description  received  and  the  statement 
of  this  man,  we  shall  be  obliged  to  retain  you  until 
you  are  identified  or  set  free." 

"Haw,   haw,   haw!"  mockingly   laughed   convict 
161.     "I  git  even  with  you — you  - 
stinker ! ' ' 

"What  are  you  growling  about?"  sharply  asked 
the  captain.  "Here,  Dunn,  lock  this  man  up  until 
further  orders. ' ' 

"Gosh  durn!"  he  blazed,  his  eyes  flashing  with  a 
fierce  light.  "Is  that  the  way  you  treat  a  feller  fur 
helping  ye  to  git  breakers?" 

"Take  him  along,"  was  all  the  reply  he  received. 

The  informant  was  dragged  cursing  and  strug- 
gling from  the  office. 

"Will  you  allow  me  to  telephone  to  my  wife?" 
Chester  asked  of  the  officer  in  charge. 

"I  will.    There's  the  instrument." 

The  young  man  called  up  Alma  and  in  a  broken 
voice  begged  her  to  bear  with  courage  what  he  was 
about  to  communicate. 

"Why,  Chester,  what  can  it  be  that  you  speak  of 
in  such  a  manner?" 

"It  is  dreadful,  dear  wife.  I  am  heartbroken— 
but  I  cannot  help  it." 

"Tell  me,  please,  what  you  mean." 

"My  precious  Alma.    I  am  under  arrest  charged 

204 


FOLLOWED   BY   DANGEROUS   CONDITIONS. 

with  being  an  escaped  prisoner  from  the  peniten- 
tiary. ' ' 

The  speaker  heard  the  receiver  at  the  other  end 
drop  from  the  nerveless  hands  to  the  side  of  the  ap- 
paratus— morover,  he  heard  a  cry  and  thought  he 
heard  a  form  fall  to  the  floor.  He  kept  the  trans- 
mitter in  his  trembling  fingers  and  waited.  Soon  he 
called : 

"Alma?" 

There  was  no  reply.  He  did  this  again  and  again 
with  the  same  result.  At  last,  after  the  expiration  of 
several  minutes  he  detected  sobbing,  then  a  falter- 
ing call : 

"Chester!" 

' '  I  am  here,  dear.  Bear  up,  my  darling.  The  end 
will  come  sometime." 

"I —  I  fell  down — I  am  not  sure  but  I  was  con- 
fused for  a  little  while.  Where  are  you?" 

"At  the  Central  Police  station." 

"I  will  come  there  immediately." 

At  the  solicitation  of  Chester,  he  was  allowed  to 
receive  his  wife  in  the  captain's  private  room.  The 
meeting  was  too  painful  and  heart-rending  for  the 
pen  to  follow.  Toward  its  close,  Alma  asked: 

"Shall  I  not  employ  a  skillful  attorney?" 

"As  you  think  best,  my  wife." 

"We  cannot  allow  these  people  to  do  what  they 
please.  I  am  determined  to  meet '  them  in  some 
way. ' ' 

205 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"I  fear,  dearest  one,  that  I  shall  be  compelled  to 
go — to  leave  you  and  my  precious  baby." 

The  strong  man  burst  again  into  tears.  Alma  held 
him  to  her  bosom,  stroking  his  hair  and  begging  him 
to  have  courage. 

"For  we  shall  be  near  you,  Chester.  I  shall  not 
leave  you  to  suffer  alone." 

Alma  now  proposed  to  leave  him  for  a  short  time. 

"I  will  return  as  soon  as  possible  and  let  you  know 

what  I  have  succeeded  in  accomplishing." 

She  then  went  out,  going  directly  to  their  bank- 
ers. 

"Is  President  Thomas  accessible?"  she  asked  of 
a  paying  teller. 

"Yes,  madam,"  he  replied.  "William,"  he  called 
to  an  attendant,  "show  Mrs.  Fenton  into  the  office 
of  Mr.  Thomas." 

Being  conducted  into  the  president's  office,  she  at 
once  confided  to  him  her  troubles.  He  immediately 
took  up  her  cause  with  zeal,  advising  as  to  what  he 
deemed  a  proper  course.  He  also  sent  for  Mr.  Kid- 
dell,  the  attorney  for  the  bank,  a  man  of  ability  and 
honor.  With  him  the  consultation  was  prolonged  for 
an  hour.  When  it  closed,  Mr.  Eidell  comforted  the 
sorrowing  wife  by  the  remark : 

"Bear  up,  Mrs.  Fenton.  I  think  we  can  arrange 
matters  to  change  the  present  outlook.  President 
Roosevelt  is  full  of  justice  and  when  the  truth  is 
placed  before  him,  we  may  have  a  happy  outcome." 


206 


CHAPTER  XX 

MERCIFUL  ACTS  OF  PRESIDENT  ROOSEVELT. 

On  the  next  morning  the  penitentiary  warden 
came  and  fully  identified  Chester  Fenton  as  the 
prisoner  who  had  escaped  from  detention.  It  was 
determined  that  he  should  be  taken  back  in  the  after- 
noon. 

' '  This  shows  what  fools  some  people  can  be, ' '  com- 
mented the  warden.  "This  man  had  credits  for 
good  conduct  which  would  have  saved  him  a  third  of 
his  term  of  imprisonment.  Now  he'll  get  the  full 
dose." 

The  friends  of  the  Fentons  had  been  busy.  The 
lawyer,  the  bankers,  and  the  men  by  whom  Chester 
had  been  employed,  circulated  petitions  by  the  hun- 
dred. The  result  was  amazing.  Thousands  of  names 
were  procured,  asking  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  pardon  the  man  who  had  shown  such  high 
character  from  the  moment  he  had  reached  Kansas 
City. 

"Don't  hurry  him  away.  Wait  another  twenty- 
four  hours — until  we  can  ascertain  what  the  Presi- 
dent will  do,"  appealed  the  lawyer,  speaking  to  the 
warden. 

"I  cannot  remain  myself.    But  I  will  give  him  a 

207 


SHACKLES    CAST 

chance.  He  shall  not  be  trimmed  for  a  cell  until  a 
reasonable  time  has  passed — that  is,  we'll  give  you 
an  opportunity  to  act  in  the  matter." 

"Good.    That  is  all  we  ask  for." 

On  the  following  day  Alma  Fenton  was  with  her 
husband.  They  were  again  allowed  a  private  inter- 
view. It  was  rapidly  approaching  the  hour  of  de- 
parture for  Leavenworth.  Sad,  indeed,  was  the  com- 
munion of  the  two  combining  mutual  comfort  and 
sympathy ;  while  on  the  part  of  the  young  man  there 
were  many  self -braidings  throughout  the  interview. 

*  *  My  blessed, ' '  he  cried  at  one  time,  *  *  to  think  that 
my  wretched  conduct  should  bring  you  to  this  suffer- 
ing:" 

"Chester  do  not  chide  yourself.  You  are  the  vic- 
tim of  circumstances.  My  profound  regret  is  that 
I  am  powerless  to  serve  you." 

"You  dear,  kind  girl.  How  little  of  your  love  do 
I  deserve,  yet  how  bountifully  you  bestow  it. ' ' 

The  door  sprang  open  and  a  bluecoat's  head  was 
thrust  forward: 

' '  Have  to  start  for  the  train  in  three  minutes.  So 
let  it  be  a  hurry  call  from  now  on. ' ' 

As  the  frame  slammed  shut,  the  two  arose  and 
embraced  each  other.  There  were  tender  kisses  and 
whispered  words,  while  neither  could  restrain  the 
tears  that  flowed. 

"May  God  preserve  you,  my  dear  wife,"  faltered 
Chester,  "until  I  come  back  to  you." 

"He  will,  He  will — and  I  shall  teach  our  little  one 

208 


MERCIFUL  ACTS  OF  PRESIDENT  ROOSEVELT. 

to  watch  and  be  ready  to  meet  her  papa.    Wait,  dear, 
she  is  here.    I  will  bring  her  to  you. ' ' 

She  hastened  to  where  she  had  left  Gracie  in  the 
arms  of  a  nurse.  Taking  the  infant,  she  hurried 
back.  In  the  meantime,  the  waiting  men,  seeing  her 
pass  out,  thought  the  interview  was  at  an  end,  so 
they  were  leading  Chester  away. 

"Our  baby!"  cried  Alma,  presenting  her  to  the 
father. 

Little  Gracie  had  learned  the  lineaments  of  the 
face  that  had  so  often  bent  over  her  and  a  sweet 
smile  wreathed  her  features,  while  she  patted  her 
father's  cheeks.  Chester  kissed  it  again  and  again. 

1 '  Guess  we  '11  have  to  hustle, ' '  gruffly  injected  one 
of  the  attending  policemen. 

"Good-by,  my  husband,  good-by,"  sobbed  Alma, 
putting  her  arms  about  his  neck,  while  he  still  held 
the  infant.  "I  and  baby  will  wait  for  you  however 
long  you  may  be  away. ' ' 

The  final  kiss  was  given ;  then  Fenton  was  hurried 
off. 

After  an  interval  of  a  few  minutes,  the  wife  ap- 
peared at  the  office  of  President  Thomas  to  whom 
she  had  entrusted  all  interests  connected  with  her 
trouble. 

* '  All  will  be  ready  by  one  o  'clock, ' '  welcomed  Mr. 
Thomas.  "The  Flyer  leaves  at  two-fifteen." 

"And  I  shall  be  prepared  for  the  trip,"  assured 
Alma. 

As  the  young  woman  had  said,  at  one  o'clock  she 

209 


SHACKLES    CAST 

was  back  at  the  bank.     A  nursemaid  accompanied 
her. 

"Everything  is  in  readiness,  declared  President 
Thomas,  taking  from  his  desk  a  bulky  roll.  "In  this 
you  will  find  a  petition  reciting  the  facts  regarding 
Mr.  Fenton,  followed  by  eighty-five  thousand  names 
of  the  citizens.  There  are  also  included  in  the  pack- 
age other  things  for  your  guidance.  As  President 
Roosevelt  has  such  a  clear,  devoted  conscience,  when 
he  reads  the  absolute  truth  he  will  surely  make  a 
justifiable  reward. ' ' 

"How  good  and  considerate  you  have  been," 
thanked  Alma. 

"We  have  done  those  things  which  under  the  cir- 
cumstances have  afforded  pleasure." 

"Remain  seated  a  moment,  Mrs.  Fenton,"  he 
begged,  as  he  passed  to  a  door  opening  to  an  ad- 
joining apartment.  Speaking  to  some  one,  a  lady 
came  forth. 

"Mrs.  Fenton,  allow  me  to  introduce  to  you  my 
wife,  Mrs.  Thomas.  She  has  become  warmly  inter- 
ested in  this  case  and  wishes  to  become  your  compan- 
ion that  she  may  assist  as  occasion  may  offer. ' ' 

"Dear  Mrs.  Thomas,"  exclaimed  Alma,  grasping 
the  motherly  woman  by  the  hand.  "How  kind  you 
are ! ' ' 

"Not  yet — but  I  trust  some  opportunity  may  be 
given  to  merit  your  approving  words. ' ' 

When  the  fast  train  departed  from  the  city,  Alma, 
Mrs.  Thomas,  little  Gracie  and  a  nursemaid  were  on* 

210 


MERCIFUL  ACTS  OF  PRESIDENT  ROOSEVELT. 

board  occupying  a  comfortable  compartment  of  a 
Pullman.  The  route  selected  lay  through  Cincinnati 
and  thence  to  Washington. 

"Lie  down,  dear  Mrs.  Fenton,"  urged  Mrs.  Thom- 
as. "You  look  so  tired.  We  must  not  let  you  wear 
out  at  the  beginning  of  the  journey." 

"I  am  tired,"  answered  the  young  mother,  "but  I 
fear  that  I  could  not  sleep.  Perhaps  after  a  little 
I  may  be  able  to  do  so." 

"When  we  reach  Washington,  I  want  you  to  be 
fresh;  for  there  our  work  may  be  arduous." 

"I  will  remember  and  try  to  reserve  my  strength. ' ' 

Arrived  at  the  capital,  Mrs.  Thomas  and  Alma, 
with  her  maid,  put  up  at  one  of  the  well-known 
hotels. 

"Now  I  will  go  to  the  senator  from  our  city," 
comforted  Mrs.  Thomas,  "to  enlist  his  services  in 
your  behalf.  Doubtless  he  will  be  able  to  assist  in 
the  matter  you  intend  to  present  to  the  President." 

"It  is  kind  of  you,  but  you  will  pardon  mejf  I  go 
at  once  to  seek  an  interview.  My  anxiety  to  achieve 
whatever  is  possible  will  not  permit  me  to  wait  any 
longer. ' ' 

"Oh,  that  is  quite  right.  It  occurs  to  me  that  I 
had  beter  go  with  you  that  I  may  help  as  I  may  be 
able,  allowing  my  intention  to  visit  the  senator  to 
rest  for  the  present." 

Accordingly  an  automobile  was  secured  and  the 
two  were  quickly  driven  to  the  White  House. 

211 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"We  wish  to  see  the  President's  secretary,"  Mrs. 
Thomas  announced  to  the  attendant  in  waiting. 

'  *  The  secretary  ?  He 's  busy  just  now  but  he  may 
be  at  liberty  soon." 

"Take  him  these  cards  and  tell  him  that  the  two 
ladies  they  name  are  urgent  in  their  request  to  see 
him.  The  business  is  of  importance  and  cannot  be 
delayed. ' ' 

The  cards  bore  the  names  of  Mrs.  William  Thom- 
as, Kansas  City,  Missouri,  and  Mrs.  Chester  Fenton, 
Hurstlands,  New  Mexico. 

Presently  the  attendant  reappeared  and  an- 
nounced that  the  secretary  would  see  them  without 
delay. 

1 '  This  way,  ladies. ' ' 

And  they  were  ushered  into  the  presence  of  the 
private  secretary  of  the  president.  He  met  them 
with  that  characteristic  ease  and  cordiality  for  which 
he  was  distinguished.  When  they  were  seated,  he 
asked : 

"How  may  I  serve  you?" 

Mrs.  Thomas  assumed  the  burden  of  the  introduc- 
tory explanation: 

"I  am  Mrs.  William  Thomas,  wife  of  President 
Thomas,  of  the  Seventh  National  Bank  of  Kansas 
City.  This  lady  is  Mrs.  Chester  Fenton,  of  the  great 
landed  estate  of  Hurstlands,  New  Mexico." 

As  the  names  were  mentioned,  the  secretary  made 
acknowledgment. 

"It  is  gratifying  to  meet  ladies  from  the  empire 

212 


MERCIFUL  ACTS  OF  PRESIDENT  ROOSEVELT. 

of  the  West,"  he  remarked,  speaking  to  Alma. 
Turning  to  Mrs.  Thomas,  he  added: 

" There  is  a  service,  perhaps,  that  I  can  render." 

1  'Mrs.  Fenton  desires  an  interview  with  President 
Roosevelt  upon  matters  of  urgent  necessity." 

"With  the  president?  He  is  engaged  at  this  time 
with  a  party  of  senators." 

"Will  it  be  for  long?"  asked  Alma,  her  face  taking 
on  a  slight  flush  which  added  to  her  beauty  and  made 
her  presence  the  more  impressive. 

"I  will  see.    This  is  your  card,  I  think." 

The  lady  bowed.  The  secretary  left  the  room. 
He  was  absent  but  a  short  time  when  he  returned 
and  said: 

"The  President  will  see  you  in  thirty  minutes." 

"Thirty  minutes?"  Mrs.  Thomas  repeated. 

Rising,  she  went  to  Alma  and  took  her  hand : 

"It  will  not  be  for  long,"  she  cheered.  "As  you 
will  not  need  me  at  present,  I  will  excuse  myself  for 
a  short  time." 

Alma  whispered  to  her  with  reference  to  Grace. 

*  *  The  baby  in  here  ?  Do  you  wish  to  take  it  with 
you?" 

The  younger  one  nodded. 

"  So  as  not  to  burden  you,  I  will  wait  until  the  half- 
hour  has  nearly  expired." 

Mrs.  Thomas  went  out.  It  was  perhaps  twenty 
minutes  when  she  returned  with  little  Grace.  In  a 
short  time  a  messenger  came  from  the  President's 
room  and  spoke  in  low  tones  to  the  secretary. 

213 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"Mrs.  Fenton,  I  will  conduct  you  to  the  presi- 
dent," announced  the  gentleman. 

Leading  the  way,  he  preceded  her  to  the  room  of 
the  chief  magistrate,  whom  they  found  busily  en- 
gaged in  writing.  When  lie  looked  up,  the  secre- 
tary reported: 

"Mr.  President,  permit  me  to  bring  to  your  at- 
tention this  lady,  Mrs.  Fenton,  of  Hurstlands,  New 
Mexico. ' ' 

Theodore  Roosevelt  made  gracious  answer  and 
then  courteously  conducted  her  to  a  seat. 

Alma  was  greatly  distressed  and  trembled  violent- 
ly, while  she  held  the  baby  Grace  close  to  her  bosom. 
Suddenly  she  arose  from  her  chair  and  with  voice 
nearly  inaudible  began  to  speak: 

"President  Roosevelt,"  she  faltered,  "I  have 
come  to  plead  for  my  husband. ' ' 

The  President  looked  earnestly  at  the  fair,  yet 
suffering  young  countenance  that  was  turned  toward 
him.  The  tears  were  silently  trickling  down  the 
quivering  cheeks.  The  troublous  anxiety  and  the 
exhausting  scenes  of  the  days  so  recently  numbered, 
had  left  her  features  very  pale,  but  more  spiritual- 
ized than  ever. 

"Your  husband,  madam?  And  why  should  you 
plead  for  him?" 

'  *  He  has  been  taken  to  the  prison  at  Leavenworth 
—unjustly,  Mr.  President,  unjustly." 

"Unjustly,"    echoed    Roosevelt,    looking   at    her 

214 


MERCIFUL  ACTS  OF  PRESIDENT  ROOSEVELT. 

with  eyes  full  of  compassion,  yet  associated  with  a 
caste  of  surprised  justice.  "Is  that  possible!" 

"It  is,  sir.    Oh  it  is !    May  I  tell  you  ? " 

"Certainly;  I  am  anxious  to  hear  the  story;  for  I 
cannot  understand  how  he  could  be  taken  to  a  prison 
unjustly. ' ' 

"Dear  Mr.  President,  pardon  the  word — but  I 
could  not  help  it — I  feel  it  all  so  keenly — his  mis- 
fortune, I  mean." 

Then  followed  amid  sighs  and  heartbreaking  sobs, 
the  graphic  recital  of  Chester's  story.  Every  point 
was  made  and  explained — nothing  was  kept  back. 

"It  is  strange,"  declared  the  President,  "quite 
remarkable. ' ' 

While  speaking  he  arose  from  his  chair  and  ap- 
proached the  lady. 

"Is  that  his  baby?"  he  asked. 

* '  Yes — little  Grace, ' '  and  the  mother  held  it  toward 
him. 

Eoosevelt  touched  its  fingers  and  patted  its  cheeks. 
The  dear  little  creature  smiled  sweetly  at  him  and 
stretched  forth  its  arms. 

"A  pretty  babe,"  affirmed  the  President.  "One 
for  a  father  to  be  proud  of." 

"He  loves  it  dearly — so  dearly!" 

"I  will  look  over  what  my  aide  brought  me  for 
you,"  decided  Roosevelt.  "Excuse  me  for  a  mom- 
ent. Sit  down  and  rest." 

The  bundle  of  papers  which  had  been  presented 
on  Alma's  entrance  to  the  room  was  now  opened  and 

215 


SHACKLES    CAST 

the  attention  of  the  President  was  closely  bestowed 
upon  the  contents.  In  addition  to  the  great  petition, 
there  were  numerous  letters  from  the  most  distin- 
guished citizens  of  Kansas  City.  All  spoke  highly 
of  the  character  of  Chester  Fenton  since  they  had 
known  him.  Before  this  investigation  of  documents 
was  brought  to  a  close,  a  card  was  handed  to  the 
President.  It  contained  the  following  words : 

"Senator  Warner  desires  an  opportunity  to  as- 
sist Mrs.  Fenton  to  present  to  the  President  the  case 
of  Chester  Fenton." 

A  moment  before  Roosevelt  had  suddenly  halted 
in  his  examination  of  the  papers  on  the  table  and 
asked : 

"Was  Chester  Fenton  from  Los  Angeles,  Califor- 
nia?" 

"He  lived  there  for  some  time." 

' '  Was  he  a  member  of  the  First  United  States  Vol- 
unteer Cavalry,  popularly  called  the  Bough 
Eiders!" 

"He  was,  Mr.  President,  and  served  under  you 
during  the  Cuban  Campaign. ' ' 

' '  Chester  Fenton, ' '  the  President  repeated.  Ches- 
ter Fenton!" 

Upon  receipt  of  the  card  from  Senator  Warner, 
he  said  to  the  attendant : 

' '  Admit  the  senator. ' ' 

When  that  gentleman  came  in,  he  saluted  the  Pres- 
ident, then  going  to  Mrs.  Fenton,  he  greeted  her : 

"Mrs.  Fenton,  I  am  glad  to  meet  you.     I  have 

216 


MERCIFUL  ACTS  OF  PRESIDENT  ROOSEVELT. 

heard  the  story  of  your  husband's  life  and  want  to 
comfort  you  in  the  possession  of  a  man  who  has 
passed  through  the  fire  and  come  out  purified." 

The  ready  tears  sprang  to  the  eyes  of  the  young 
woman.  The  senator  quickly  perceived  and  turned 
to  Roosevelt: 

1 l  Dear  Mr.  President,  I  trust  your  world-wide  gen- 
erosity may  be  extended  to  Mr.  Fenton." 

Theodore  Roosevelt  had  taken  the  senator  by  the 
hand  and  was  silently  looking  into  his  face. 

' '  He  has  never  been  guilty  of  a  crime ;  but  unfortu- 
nate in  being  the  companion  of  a  man  who  committed 
a  criminal  act." 

' '  Senator  Warren,  thank  you  for  the  veiled  compli- 
ment of  your  words.  As  for  the  matter  pertaining  to 
Chester  Fenton,  he  is  pardoned." 

Alma  sprang  from  her  seat  and  with  tears  stream- 
ing down  her  cheeks,  was  in  the  act  of  kneeling  to 
the  President;  but  he  stretched  forth  his  hand  and 
detained  her.  Leading  her  back  to  the  seat  from 
which  she  had  arisen  he  kindly  spoke : 

"Be  seated,  Mrs.  Fenton.  Dry  the  tears.  I  ap- 
preciate your  gratitude,  but  the  pardon  has  been 
earned  by  the  person  who  receives  it.  Pray  be 
seated  and  I  will  prepare  the  necessary  papers." 

Sitting  at  the  table,  he  touched  an  electric  button 
and  then  began  to  write.  A  moment  passed  and  a 
messenger  stood  wailing: 

"Request  the  secretary  to  come  here." 

The  President  had  not  ceased  to  write  when  his 

217 


SHACKLES    CAST 

distinguished  aide  appeared.  There  was  a  low  con- 
versation and  the  latter  retired.  Immediately  there 
flashed  over  the  wires  the  following  telegram  to  the 
warden  of  the  penitentiary  at  Leavenworth: 

"Chester  Fenton  is  pardoned.  Treat  him  as  a 
free  man  but  do  not  communicate  the  fact  until  his 
wife  arrives." 

After  the  secretary  had  left  the  apartment,Roose- 
velt  continued  at  his  desk  for  a  few  seconds  longer. 
He  then  arose  and  came  to  where  Mrs.  Fenton  was 
sitting.  Handing  her  a  paper,  he  said : 

"This  is  a  full  pardon  and  release  for  Chester 
Fenton.  Take  it  to  him  yourself ;  for  you  alone  have 
the  right.  At  the  same  time  convey  to  him  my  kind 
remembrances. ' ' 

Alma  arose  and  staggered  from  excitement  and 
weakness.  She  labored  hard  with  words  of  thanks : 

"Dear  President  Eoosevelt.  Accept  my  heartfelt 
thanks  for  your  gracious,  merciful  kindness." 

The  President  touched  her  arm,  remarking: 

"It  is  fully  deserved,  Mrs.  Fenton — indeed,  it  is 
a  reward  of  merit." 

Intense  gratitude  beamed  from  the  eyes  of  the 
young  wife,  while  the  tears  dimmed  them. 

"President  Roosevelt,"  suggested  Senator  War- 
ner, "if  you  will  permit  me,  I  will  see  Mrs.  Fenton 
to  her  hotel." 

"Do  so  if  you  please." 

The  senator  then  conducted  Mrs.  Fenton  into  the 
anteroom  where  they  found  Mrs.  Thomas  and  the 

218 


MERCIFUL  ACTS  OF  PRESIDENT  ROOSEVELT. 

nursemaid  in  waiting.  By  the  happy  expression  on 
Alma ' s  face  the  f omer  at  once  perceived  the  success- 
ful issue  of  the  appeal. 

"I  am  so  thankful,"  she  cried,  embracing  the  one 
who  had  passed  the  ordeal,  "so  thankful." 

"Dear  Mrs.  Thomas,"  was  all  the  younger  could 
say,  such  a  torrent  of  feeling  was  sweeping  over  her. 

"How  good  of  you,  Senator  Warner,"  declared 
Mrs.  Thomas. 

It  was  this  lady  who  had  secured  the  services  of 
the  distinguished  member  of  the  Senate. 

"Don't  mention  it,  Mrs.  Thomas.  Perhaps  we  had 
better  hasten  Mrs.  Fenton  to  the  hotel;  since  I  am 
sure  she  needs  rest." 

When  all  had  reached  the  place  of  entertainment, 
the  senator  excused  himself.  He  kindly  waved  off 
their  thanks  and  turned  to  depart. 

"Remember  me  very  kindly  to  Mr.  Thomas,"  he 
begged  of  the  elder,  "and  you  will  please  serve  me 
in  the  same  manner  when  you  meet  Mr.  Fenton," 
he  added,  addressing  Alma. 

Both  ladies  acknowledged  his  courtesy. 

Bowing,  with  hat  raised  above  his  head,  the  gen- 
tleman withdrew. 

"It  was  all  very  kind  of  him,"  softly  articulated 
Alma.  "And  now,  Mrs.  Thomas,  may  we  not  ar- 
range for  an  immediate  departure  for  home!" 

"There  is  nothing  to  prevent.  I  will  ascertain 
when  the  first  through  train  will  leave  for  the 
West.'  ' 

219 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"Thank  you;  for  I  want  to  go.  I  can  rest  while 
on  the  way  better  than  I  can  in  this  hotel." 

"Of  course  you  can;  for  every  minute  will  be 
diminishing  the  space  between  yourself  and  your 
husband. ' ' 

In  two  hours  from  the  time  of  the  request  of  Alma, 
the  little  party  was  speeding  westward.  On  the  sec- 
ond day  they  were  in  Leavenworth;  Mrs.  Thomas 
having  determined  to  see  her  charge  to  her  destina- 
tion. 

A  conveyance  was  immediately  obtained  and  in  a 
short  time  the  travelers  were  at  the  office  of  the  war- 
den of  the  penitentiary.  Hurried  explanations  were 
made  and  Alma  displayed  the  presidential  pardon : 

"In  a  moment,"  the  officer  said,  "I  will  prepare 
Mr.  -Fenton  for  your  coming. ' ' 

He  meant  by  this  that  he  would  place  him  in  a 
private  room.  That  done  he  hastened  back  to  the 
office. 

"Come,"  he  announced,  "the  gentleman  waits." 

Presently  Alma  entered  her  husband's  presence. 

"Chester!"  she  exclaimed,  "here  it  is — a  pardon 
from  generous  President  Roosevelt. ' ' 

The  young  man  stood  speechless  for  a  moment — 
then  he  burst  into  broken  cries: 

'My  wife!  My  jewel!"  he  sobbed;  for  he  could 
not  restrain  the  sudden  rush  of  feeling.  "I  am 
blessed  by  my  former  dear  commander." 

Clasping  Alma  in  his  arms  he  held  her  close  for 
some  minutes,  kissing  and  rekissing  her. 

220 


MERCIFUL  ACTS  OF  PRESIDENT  ROOSEVELT. 

Oh !  the  ecstasy  of  that  interval. 

1  'Dear  Chester,  you  are  to  go  with  me,"  whis- 
pered the  wife.  "Come." 

"My  sweet  love,"  slowly  articulated  the  young 
man,  taking  her  tenderly  by  the  hand.  "Dear,  dear 
wife.  We  are  united — never  more  to  part ! ' ' 

Thus  they  went  out  and  were  soon  on  their  way  to 
Kansas  City.  Business  interests  in  that  place  being 
adjusted,  they  departed  for  Hurstlands;  where  to- 
day they  are  living  in  the  bright  sunshine  of  happi- 
ness. 


221 


AFTERWOED. 

NOBLE  STATEMENTS  BY  ROOSEVELT  AD- 
MIRERS. 

The  early  summer  of  nineteen  hundred  and  twelve 
had  arrived.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fenton  were  sitting  in  the 
parlor  of  their  beautiful  home  at  Hurstlands.  Alma 
was  handling  a  newspaper  just  received  from  the 
postal  route.  Chester  was  looking  out  of  a  front 
window. 

"Do  you  know  that  our  noble  Colonel  Roosevelt 
is  being  pressed  forward  as  a  presidential  nomi- 
nee ? ' '  asked  his  wife. 

"Yes,  dear.  We  are  both  aware  that  his  praise  is 
matchless.  He  is  nearer  to  the  heart  of  the  people 
than  any  other  man. ' ' 

"Yes,  the  most  worthy  step  made  in  many  years 
to  advance  the  morality,  purity  and  amelioration  of 
mankind  occurred  during  the  presidency  of  Theodore 
Roosevelt.  We  long  to  have  it  continued;  and  his 
reelection  will  insure  it." 

"Indeed  it  will.  See.  There  is  an  auto  with  two 
gentlemen  at  the  gate.  I  must  meet  them." 

Slipping  out,  the  three  soon  entered  the  room. 

1 1  Mrs.  Fenton,  allow  me  to  introduce  Mr.  Enright. 
Also  Mr.  Goodson.  They  are  both  officers  of  the 
Roosevelt  League  at  Sante  Fe." 

222 


NOTABLE   STATEMENTS  BY   ROOSEVELT   ADMIRERS. 

"I  am  pleased  to  meet  you,"  the  lady  answered. 
"Of  course  you  are  assisting  to  win  the  presidency 
for  that  eminent  man,  Roosevelt." 

"That  is  true,  Mr.  Enright,"  affirmed  Alma, 
come  here  to  discuss  the  matter  with  Mr.  Fenton,  for 
there  are  thirty  or  forty  men  on  the  Hurstland's 
ranch.  In  all  parts  of  our  country  where  the  people 
are  discussing  the  action  and  affairs  of  the  govern- 
ment, Roosevelt  is  regarded  as  the  strong  and  cap- 
able man  who  can  untangle  unfavorable  conditions." 

"That  is  true,  Mr.  Enrigth,"  affirmed  Alma. 
'  *  For  years  there  has  never  been  so  good  and  great 
a  president  as  Theodore  Roosevelt.  For  one  or  two 
generations  he  alone  sacrificed  his  personal  conven- 
ience for  the  interest  of  his  country." 

"Let  us  elect  this  righteous,  patriotic,  pure  man, 
brave  protector  and  defender  of  human  rights, ' '  pro- 
nounced Chester. 

"That  is  what  we  must  do,"  averred  Goodson, 
"for  he  is  the  only  man  who  can  carry  the  party  to 
victory.  Taft  would  be  simply  swallowed  by  the  oppo- 
sition because  the  present  administration  is  so  large- 
ly disapproved. ' ' 

"The  popular  vote  for  Roosevelt,"  added  Enright, 
"would  be  the  widest  and  most  complete  that  has 
ever  been  received  by  any  presidential  candidate." 

' '  To  say  there  is  any  superstition  against  another 
term,  is  mere  bosh — a  comic  statement,"  proclaimed 
Goodson.  "There  are  plenty  of  members  of  Con- 
gress who  have  exceeded  thirty  or  thirty-six  years, 

223 


SHACKLES    CAST 

cabinet  officers  have  often  been  continued  for  a  long 
time — Federal  judges  for  a  lifetime.  Our  Eoosevelt 
has  been  elected  but  once,  and  he  is  such  a  meritori- 
ous man  having  done  the  work  of  President  so  well, 
that  we  sincerely  want  him  now — we  need  him.  He 
will  regulate  and  manage  the  reforms  which  the 
Americans  crave." 

*  *  You  are  right, ' '  bowed  Enright.  '  *  Eoosevelt  has 
famous  ability,  earnestness  to  carry  forward  public 
purposes  and  steady  advancement  of  high  ideals.  He 
shows  exalted  efficiency  as  an  executive,  possesses 
courage  and  sincere  honesty.  He  honorably  and 
firmly  guards  what  the  people  want,  hence  they  dear- 
ly love  him." 

' t  How  true  !*  *  echoed  Alma.  '  *  Roosevelt  is  a  hero 
and  a  genius,  a  brave,  hearty,  honest,  manly  man, 
fine  in  habit  and  bearing." 

"My  wife  knows  all  about  it,"  asserted  Chester. 
* '  She  knows  that  he  dwells  in  the  hearts  and  minds 
of  the  citizens  of  our  Eepublic,  who  are  asking  him 
to  accept  a  second  elective  term." 

"Yes,"  resumed  Goodson,  "our  Eoosevelt  has 
been  elected  but  once.  Some  politicians  are  so  un- 
just they  say  has  had  two  terms.  Although 
false,  it  makes  no  difference.  If  the  country  wants 
him,  it  is  wholly  in  the  power  of  the  people.  Wash- 
ington could  not  take  a  third  term  because  of  his  age 
and  health.  He  died  soon  after  the  expiration  of 
his  second  term ;  but  he  even  said  that  a  third  term 

224 


NOTABLE  STATEMENTS  BY  ROOSEVELT  ADMIRERS. 

must  be  accepted  if  the  people  demand  it  and  agree 
upon  it." 

"Roosevelt  said,"  renewed  Enright,  "  'If  the 
people  wish  me  to  serve  I  shall  do  so  and  shall  per- 
form it  with  whatever  courage  and  ability  I  pos- 
sess.' Now  he  has  bravely  worked  their  will  and 
achieved  their  purposes  in  the  past.  During  the  sev- 
en years  he  was  chief  executive,  he  completed  pros- 
perously many  of  the  ideal  results  for  our  country. 
He  has  been  the  great  leader  of  the  forward  and 
successful  movements  of  the  nation." 

"It  is  well  known,"  observed  Chester,  "to  every 
party  that  if  Rosevelt  is  nominated  he  will  be 
elected,  hence  certain  ones  attempt  to  despoil  the 
conventional  outcome. ' ' 

' '  Our  Congressman  Curry, ' '  pronounced  Goodson- 
" declares  that  Roosevelt's  conservation  work,  his 
motto  of  the  square  deal  and  his  insistence  that  the 
people  be  allowed  to  conduct  their  own  government, 
have  won  him  friends  who  consider  that  he  should  be 
made  President." 

"No  matter,"  confirmed  Fenton,  "as  to  the  num- 
ber of  presidential  elections,  for  it  is  the  duty  of  a 
citizen  to  serve  the  nation  whenever  the  people  call 
him.  That  settles  the  issue  with  reference  to  Roose- 
velt." 


225 


BOOSEVELT'S  MAJESTIC  TRIBUTE  BY  THE 
SANTA  FE  LEAGUE. 

Some  time  afterward,  Chester  Fenton  was  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Roosevelt  League  in  Sante  Fe.  The 
large  number  of  members  present  were  manifesting 
their  admiration  of  the  Colonel  and  their  reverence 
of  his  distinctive  character  and  wonderful  executive 
ability  as  President. 

"Glad  to  meet  you,  Fenton,"  proclaimed  Good- 
son.  "We'e  going  to  take  up  some  important  work 
with  reference  to  our  beneficent  leader,  Theodore 
Roosevelt. ' ' 

' l  Good !    It  is  glorious. ' ' 

In  a  few  minutes  the  chairman  called  the  meeting 
to  order,  and  arising,  spoke  as  follows: 

"I  wish  to  refer  to  what  the  committee  and  con- 
vention did  as  to  the  nomination  of  Taft.  His  re- 
nomination  was  fradulent — and  Republicans  cannot 
in  any  way  acknowledge  it  but  must  stand  honestly 
against  it.  All  our  people  witness  the  political  per- 
fidy of  the  Committee.  Through  its  high-handed  rob- 
bery and  its  ; steam-roller'  process  of  thievery,  Taft 
accepted  the  stolen  nomination." 

"That  may  be,"  declared  a  member,  rising  from 

226 


ROOSEVELT'S  MAJESTIC  TRIBUTE  BY  SANTA  FE  LEAGUE. 

his  seat,  "but  he  is  practically  out  of  the  running  to 
claim  the  votes  of  our  citizens." 

"Bet  you,"  pronounced  another.  "Taft  accepted 
the  fruits  of  larceny,  but  it  eliminates  him  and  he'll 
get  no  election  in  November. ' ' 

"Sure!"  continued  the  chairman.  "Sweep  away 
the  miserable  cheat  of  his  stolen  fruit,  for  it  is  an 
unfair  provision  for  the  people  of  our  country. 
Think  of  Taft  in  deadly  grapple  with  the  subtle  ac- 
tion of  the  committee  whose  members  robbed  the 
convention  of  many  progressive  delegates.  The 
southern  states,  the  territories  and  falsely  seated 
delegates  nominated  him,  but  his  observance  of  it 
should  cause  him  to  withdraw  from  the  candidacy; 
for  he  will  get  mighty  few  votes.  He  is  not  the  can- 
didate of  the  Republican  party.  A  misrepresenta- 
tive  convention  nominated  him." 

"Correct,"  announced  a  member.  "Our  people 
will  not  endores  the  robbery  or  ratify  the  treacher- 
uos  acts  of  the  convention. ' ' 

"Make  some  remarks  yourself,"  said  the  chair- 
man, taking  his  seat. 

Springing  to  his  feet,  he  resumed: 

"Any  one  who  votes  for  Taft  will  sanction  the 
committee's  crafty  conduct.  Let  us  see  to  it  that 
we  are  honest ;  that  we  and  our  brethern  go  against 
the  wily  'bosses.'  The  control  of  the  convention  was 
in  the  hands  of  deceitful,  spurious  men  of  the  com- 
mittee. The  people  and  their  selected  choice  were 
rolled  over  and  cast  aside  by  those  committeemen 

227 


SHACKLES    CAST 

who  were  void  of  integrity.  Was  not  the  act  a 
swindle  and  a  farce?  Taft  should  not  accept  a 
stolen  nomination." 

"Taft  cannot  convince  American  citizens  that  he 
is  worthy  to  administer  further  the  affairs  of  the 
nation.  The  voters  in  November  will  overwhelm 
him ;  for  the  grandest  vote  ever  polled  in  the  United 
States  will  be  for  Colonel  Roosevelt. ' ' 

A  third  member  spoke : 

* '  W.  H.  Taft  is  not  justly  the  nominee  of  the  June 
convention  in  Chicago.  His  nomination  was  gained 
by  fraud.  In  the  evening  Colonel  Roosevelt  re- 
ceived the  majority  of  the  legally  elected  delegates 
of  the  convention.  Let  us  understand  that  the  nomi- 
nation of  Taft  was  grossly  more  unfair  than  that  of 
Lorimer.  As  the  latter  is  turned  down,  the  former 
should  be  treated  in  the  same  manner. ' ' 

"After  the  Taft  'bosses'  knew  they  had  secured 
the  majority  of  the  national  committee,  selected  four 
years  ago,  they  caused  base  procedure  in  many 
states,  thus  inducing  the  men  fradulently  chosen  to 
be  brought  to  them.  At  once  they  were  announced 
convention  delegates,  while  the  justly  and  strongly 
elected  delegates  for  Roosevelt  were  unseatd.  Thus 
the  national  committee,  with  base  purposes,  reversed 
the  decisive  action  of  the  people  of  our  country." 

"Mr.  Fenton,"  observed  the  chairman,  "let  us 
hear  your  views." 

"That  Taft  tries  to  defeat  Roosevelt,"  proclaimed 
Fenton,  "is  peculiar.  The  Colonel  in  1908  worked 

228 


ROOSEVELT'S  MAJESTIC  TRIBUTE  BY  SANTA  FE  LEAGUE. 

hard  for  him;  but  this  year  the  nation  called  for 
Roosevelt  and  he  could  not  help  accepting.  Why  then 
should  Taft  act  villainously  toward  him!  Not  any 
one  in  America  to-day  exceeds  Theodore  Roosevelt 
in  high  morality  and  executive  wisdom.  I  warmly 
admire  the  Colonel  and  the  principles  for  which  he 
stands.  All  honest  and  fair-minded  people  are  for 
Roosevelt.  Let  every  person  of  our  state  and  coun- 
try vote  for  him  whom  the  nation  desires.  I  am 
told  that  Wilson  has  no  business  experience,  did  not 
conduct  the  financial  affairs  of  Princeton  College 
so  successfully  as  to  prevent  it  being  left  in  a  de- 
plorable condition.  How  can  we  place  the  affairs 
of  the  nation  in  his  hands?" 

"Progressive  Republicans  are  called  '  progress- 
ives.' What  difference  does  it  make?  We  are  bap- 
tized with  a  new  power  and  are  consecrated  to  cause 
the  expiration  of  Taft  and  the  raising  of  Theordore 
Roosevelt  to  the  national  leadership." 

"It  is  the  peoples'  longing  wish  to  have  the 
Colonel  elected  President;  he  is  lovingly  held  in  the 
hearts  of  our  brethern.  President,  Colonel  Roose- 
velt had  wonderful  power  as  chief  executive  of  our 
country;  yet  he  is  now  mentally  stronger  than  ever 
and  has  greatly  advanced  in  his  knowledge  and  abil- 
ity to  lead  again  the  people  to  life  success  and  happi- 
ness." 

* '  Let  us  see  to  it  that  our  country  is  carried  splen- 
didly for  Teddy.  The  magnificent  record  of  his  past 
deeds  and  his  present  courage  will  lead  to  greater 

229 


SHACKLES    CAST 

service  and  make  him  a  wonderful  President.  His- 
torically he  will  be  placed  with  Washington  and  Lin- 
coln. 

"Roosevelt  shall  be  conveyed  magnificently  into 
the  White  House.  The  dastardly  fraud  against  him 
in  the  convention  is  the  greatest  that  has  ever 
blackened  the  pages  of  American  history.  Yet  the 
Colonel,  so  fine  a  man,  shall  not  go  down  to  defeat 
at  the  hands  of  political  assassians.  I  have  implicit 
confidence  in  his  judgment,  integrity  and  leadership. 
Let  us  extend  most  hearty  support  to  him  in  any 
manner  which  shall  seem  most  expedient." 

"  'THOU  SHALT  NOT  STEAL,'  "  is  a  beauti 
t'ul  statement  made  by  Roosevelt  against  the  nation- 
al convention. 

"The  revolutionary  war  brought  forth  Washing- 
ton. The  present  crisis  and  millions  of  cheerful 
words  place  Theodore  Eoosevelt  in  the  front,  an- 
nouncing him  a  sterling  and  peerless  executive  and 
patriot." 

"Mr.  Enright,"  the  chairman  requested. 

"I  believe  eighty  per  cent  of  our  people  will  vote 
for  Roosvelt,"  pronounced  Enright.  "He  will  se- 
cure a  square  deal  administration  for  the  people,  of 
the  people  and  by  the  people.  The  men  of  all  par- 
ties in  our  country  have  firm  faith  in  the  Colonel— 
indeed,  he  is  the  peoples '  ideal.  The  November  pres- 
idential election  will  be  a  glorious  result;  for  he  is 
our  natural  leader. 

"Eoosevelt  is  in  a  splendid  physical  condition, 

230 


NOBLE  ACHIEVEMENTS  OF  THEODORE  ROOSEVELT. 

has  a  clear,  active  and  powerful  mentality.  It 
would  indeed  be  rare  to  find  another  person  who  can 
exercise  such  mental  and  physical  strength  as  the 
Colonel. 

"Consider  Roosevelt's  congressional  messages. 
They  were  so  plain,  so  impressive  upon  the  mind  and 
understanding,  that  they  aroused  the  people  and  led 
them  to  surprising  interest  in  his  statements. 

' '  Taf t  holds  a  stolen  nomination ;  but  the  master- 
workman,  Theodore  Roosevelt,  who  is  a  mighty  lead- 
er, was  nominated  by  those  delegates  who  were  hon- 
estly chosen  by  the  northern  states.  He  will  sweep 
the  land  from  ocean  to  ocean,  receiving  the  magnifi- 
cent support  of  our  voters  on  the  fifth  day  of  next 
November. ' ' 

"Mr.  Goodson." 

"Of  course,"  he  answered,  arising  from  his  seat. 
"I  take  up  a  portion  of  the  notable  achievements  of 
President  Roosevelt:" 

NOBLE  ACHIEVEMENTS  OF  THEODORE 
ROOSEVELT. 

"President  Roosevelt  established  pure  food  laws 
and  drug  acts  to  protect  the  people  from  poisonous 
conditions." 

"He  fought  reactionary  Aldrichism  in  the  Senate 
and  Cannonism  in  the  House." 

"Gave  the  country  good  railroad  legislation." 

"Brought  to  the  people  an  employers'  liability  act 
and  eight  hours  for  the  persons  employed." 


SHACKLES    CAST 

"Protected  our  national  resources  from  illegiti- 
mate greed  and  speculation." 

"He  was  the  person  feared  by  the  giants  of  fi- 
nance." 

"He  established  and  raised  human  rights  above 
the  rights  of  property." 

"He  also  established  Forest  Reserve  and  Nation- 
al Irrigation  Acts." 

"Made  the  improvement  of  waterways  and  the 
reservation  of  water-power  sites." 

"Brought  forward  the  construction  of  the  Panama 
canal. ' ' 

"Settled  the  great  anthracite  coal  strike  in  1902." 

"Established  the  Department  of  Commerce  and 
Labor. ' ' 

"The  Navy  was  nearly  doubled  in  tonnage  and 
greatly  increased  in  efficiency  by  him. ' ' 

*  *  The  battle-ship  fleet  was  sent  around  the  world. ' ' 

"The  Consular  Service  was  reorganized." 

"Colonel  Eoosevelt  established  peace  between 
Eussia  and  Japan,  causing  the  close  of  the  long  and 
bloody  war. ' ' 

"The  inauguration  of  movement  for  the  improve- 
ment of  country-life  conditions. ' ' 

"He  was  given  the  Nobel  Peace  prize  of  forty 
thousand  dollars ;  which  he  donated  to  carry  forward 
the  industrial  peace  movement. ' ' 

"Moreover  he  carried  forward  and  recommended 
many  other  fine  achievements,  advancing  the  condi- 
tion and  happiness  of  our  people." 

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